By: Lucio, Zaffirini	S.B. No. 1408

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the establishment of a matching grant program for
	community development in certain municipalities and counties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Title 2, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
	Chapter 23 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 23. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR RURAL
	AND SMALL COMMUNITIES
	Sec. 23.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "program" means
	the community development matching grant program established under
	this chapter.
	Sec. 23.002.  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
	(a)  Subject to the availability of federal and state funds, the
	department shall create a community development matching grant
	program to foster community and economic development in certain
	municipalities and counties.
	(b)  The department shall award matching grants under the
	program to assist in the financing of:
	(1)  trade-related initiatives and programs, as
	determined by the commissioner, that will assist farmers, ranchers,
	and the equine industry in eligible municipalities or counties to
	develop and export their produce, products, and services to
	international markets;
	(2)  community development projects, including basic
	infrastructure projects such as water or wastewater facilities and
	planning, street improvements, and drainage;
	(3)  capacity-building projects relating to local
	public facility and housing planning activities;
	(4)  renewable energy projects to help participating
	rural communities reduce energy costs for water and wastewater
	treatment facilities;
	(5)  restoration projects for water or wastewater
	infrastructure based on urgent need, if the infrastructure poses an
	imminent threat to life or health;
	(6)  economic development projects to create or retain
	permanent employment opportunities;
	(7)  economic development projects to support economic
	and management development activities at the county level;
	(8)  environmental projects that provide assistance to
	small communities for solving water or wastewater problems using
	self-help methods; and
	(9)  other community development projects as
	determined by the department with the assistance of the Texas Rural
	Health and Economic Development Advisory Council.
	Sec. 23.003.  ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.  A municipality or county
	is eligible for a matching grant under this chapter if the
	municipality or county is:
	(1)  a nonentitlement area, as defined by 42 U.S.C.
	Section 5302(a)(7), under the federal community development block
	grant nonentitlement program; and
	(2)  in good standing with the department and with the
	United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
	Sec. 23.004.  APPLICATIONS.  Eligible municipalities or
	counties may submit a single-jurisdiction application or a
	multi-jurisdiction application for a matching grant under the
	program for a community development project.  An application must
	include a description of the project proposal.
	Sec. 23.005.  PREFERENCE FOR MULTI-JURISDICTION
	APPLICATIONS.  (a)  In awarding a matching grant under the program,
	the department shall give preference to an application submitted
	under the program by two or more eligible municipalities or
	counties if the application shows that the proposed community
	development project will mutually benefit the residents of the
	communities applying for the funds.
	(b)  A multi-jurisdiction application solely for
	administrative convenience may not be accepted by the department.
	(c)  A municipality or county that has submitted a
	multi-jurisdiction application may not submit a
	single-jurisdiction application for a matching grant for the same
	project for which the multi-jurisdiction application was
	submitted.
	(d)  If a matching grant is awarded under this program, one
	of the municipalities or counties participating under a
	multi-jurisdiction application shall be primarily accountable to
	the department for financial compliance and performance
	requirements under the program.  All municipalities and counties
	applying under a multi-jurisdiction application must meet
	application threshold requirements.
	Sec. 23.006.  RULES.  (a)  The department by rule shall set
	criteria for matching grant requirements and participation under
	the program.
	(b)  The department shall adopt rules necessary to implement
	this chapter.
	Sec. 23.007.  EXPIRATION PROVISION.  This chapter expires
	September 1, 2021.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2015.