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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a grant program for municipal pedestrian infrastructure |
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administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community |
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Affairs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, |
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Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER K. HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2306.2595 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.2595. PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM. (a) In |
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this section: |
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(1) "Grant" means financial assistance that is awarded |
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in the form of money to a municipality for a specific purpose and |
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that is not required to be repaid. For purposes of this section, |
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the term includes a forgivable loan. |
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(2) "Grant fund" means the pedestrian infrastructure |
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grant fund. |
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(b) The department shall award grants to municipalities to |
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construct pedestrian infrastructure related to sidewalks, curbs, |
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or pedestrian lighting. The department may only award a grant under |
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a contract between the department and a grant recipient that |
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includes provisions under which the department is given sufficient |
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control to ensure the public purpose of protecting the safety of the |
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public is accomplished and the state receives the return benefit. |
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(c) The grant fund is a dedicated account in the general |
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revenue fund and consists of: |
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(1) appropriations of money to the grant fund by the |
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legislature; |
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(2) gifts, grants, including federal grants, and other |
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donations received for the grant fund; and |
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(3) interest earned on the investment of money in the |
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grant fund. |
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(d) The grant fund may be used by the department only to: |
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(1) award grants under this section; and |
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(2) administer the grant program under this section. |
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(e) Section 403.0956 does not apply to the grant fund. |
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(f) The department shall adopt rules necessary to |
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administer this section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |