Bill > HB769

This bill establishes a new Pedestrian Infrastructure Program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which will create a dedicated grant fund to provide financial assistance to neighborhood organizations for constructing pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks, curbs, and pedestrian lighting. The grant fund will be composed of legislative appropriations, gifts, grants (including federal grants), and earned interest, and can only be used to award grants to neighborhood organizations and administer the program. The bill defines a "grant" as financial assistance that does not require repayment, including forgivable loans, and requires that any grant contract between TDHCA and a recipient include provisions ensuring public safety and a return benefit to the state. The legislation also specifies that the grant fund will be exempt from certain general revenue fund restrictions, and mandates that TDHCA develop rules to implement the program. The new program will take effect on September 1, 2025, and is part of an amendment to Subchapter K of Chapter 2306 in the Texas Government Code, expanding its scope from housing programs to include infrastructure programs.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB769