1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to authorizing a state agency to adjust a matching funds
 1-3     requirement for an economically disadvantaged county or census
 1-4     tract.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1.  Chapter 783, Government Code, is amended by
 1-7     adding Section 783.009 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 783.009.  MATCHING FUND WAIVER FOR ECONOMICALLY
 1-9     DISADVANTAGED COUNTY OR CENSUS TRACT.  (a)  In this section,
1-10     "economically disadvantaged county" means a county that has a per
1-11     capita taxable property tax value that is less than one-half the
1-12     average per capita taxable property value of counties in the state
1-13     or, in comparison to other counties in the state, has:
1-14                 (1)  below average per capita taxable property value;
1-15                 (2)  below average per capita income; and
1-16                 (3)  above average unemployment.
1-17           (b)  In this section, "economically disadvantaged census
1-18     tract" means a census tract delineated by the U.S. Bureau of the
1-19     Census in the most recent decennial census in which the median
1-20     family income is reported by the U.S.  Bureau of the Census to be
1-21     less than 80 percent of the area median family income.
1-22           (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), a state agency
1-23     may, for an economically disadvantaged county or economically
1-24     disadvantaged census tract, adjust any matching funds requirement
 2-1     that is otherwise a condition for a county to receive a grant or
 2-2     other form of financial assistance from the agency.
 2-3           (d)  This section does not apply to the Texas Transportation
 2-4     Commission or to waivers or adjustments of matching funds
 2-5     requirements granted by the Texas Department of Transportation or
 2-6     governed by Section 222.053(a), Transportation Code.
 2-7           (e)  Each agency shall include information about its use of
 2-8     waivers or adjustments to matching funds requirements in its annual
 2-9     report.  The information shall include the disposition of each
2-10     instance where a waiver or adjustment is requested or considered.
2-11           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
2-12     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-13     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-14     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-15     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-16     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-17     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 3682 was passed by the House on May
         4, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 2, 1 present, not
         voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
         No. 3682 on May 27, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 4,
         1 present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 3682 was passed by the Senate, with
         amendments, on May 26, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays
         0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor