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	Amend CSSB 1016 as follows:                                                  
	On page 73, between line 13 and 14, insert the following, and 
renumber the subsequent sections appropriately:
	SECTION 9.02. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by 
adding Section 12.046 to read as follows:
	Sec. 12.046. TEXAS RURAL INVESTMENT FUND. (a) In this 
section:        
		(1) "Fund" means the Texas Rural Investment Fund.                      
		(2) "Rural community" means a municipality with a 
population of less than 50,000 or a county with a population of less 
than 200,000.
	(b) The fund is a dedicated account in the general revenue 
fund and consists of:
		(1) appropriations of money to the fund by the 
legislature;          
		(2) gifts, grants, including federal grants, and other 
donations received for the fund; and
		(3) interest earned on the investment of money in the 
fund.          
	(c) The fund may be used by the department only to:                     
		(1) pay for grants or loans to public or private 
entities for projects in rural communities that have strong local 
support, provide positive return on the state's investment, and 
stimulate one or more of the following:
			(A) local entrepreneurship;                                           
			(B) job creation or retention;                                        
			(C) new capital investment;                                           
			(D) strategic economic development planning;                          
			(E) individual economic and community development 
leadership training;
			(F) housing development; or                                           
			(G) innovative workforce education; and                               
		(2) administer the grant and loan program under this 
section.        
	(d) In awarding a grant or loan of money from the fund for a 
project, the department shall consider:
		(1) the project's effect on job creation and wages;                    
		(2) the financial strength of the applicant;                           
		(3) the applicant's business history;                                  
		(4) an analysis of the relevant business sector;                       
		(5) whether there is public or private sector financial 
support for the project; and
		(6) whether there is local support for the project.                    
	(e) The fund is exempt from the application of Sections 
403.095 and 404.071, Government Code.
	(f) The department may accept grants, gifts, or donations 
from any source that are made for the purposes of this section.  
Money received under this subsection shall be deposited in the 
fund.
	(g) The department shall adopt rules to administer this 
section.