Bill > HB3010

This bill establishes the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program (RIDRP) within the Texas government to provide financial assistance to rural communities in disaster areas. The program will offer grants to eligible political subdivisions, which include counties with populations under 100,000, a gross domestic product less than $2 billion, a poverty rate over 15%, and total disaster damages exceeding 10% of their previous year's sales and use tax collections. The grants can only be used to rebuild or repair critical infrastructure such as roads, public schools, hospitals, water and wastewater facilities, and airport infrastructure that has been damaged by a disaster. To receive a grant, political subdivisions must apply and demonstrate that the project does not qualify for federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. A dedicated account will be created within the general revenue fund to support the program, which can receive legislative appropriations, gifts, and grants. The division administering the program is required to develop rules for grant application, award, distribution, and management. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, providing a mechanism for Texas to support rural communities in recovering from significant infrastructure damage caused by disasters.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3010