Bill > HB289

This bill establishes a Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program designed to provide financial assistance through grants to rural communities in Texas that have been impacted by disasters. The program specifically targets counties with populations under 100,000, gross domestic product less than $3 billion, poverty rates over 10%, and total disaster damages exceeding 10% of the county's previous year's sales and use tax collections. The program will create a dedicated account in the state's general revenue fund to support grants for rebuilding and repairing critical infrastructure such as roads, public schools, hospitals, water and wastewater facilities, and airport facilities. Eligible political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, special districts, and school districts) can apply for grants to repair infrastructure damaged by disasters that cannot be funded through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs. The Texas division responsible for emergency management will establish the application process, set rules for grant distribution, and administer the program, with funds coming from legislative appropriations, gifts, grants, and account interest. The bill includes provisions for the account's administration, specifying that grant proceeds can only be used for infrastructure repair and that the division will adopt necessary rules to manage the program.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB289