Amend CSSB 1016 (house committee printing) by adding the 
following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and 
renumbering subsequent SECTIONS accordingly:
	SECTION ____.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by 
adding Section 12.0271 to read as follows:
	Sec. 12.0271.  RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT 
PROGRAM.  (a)  From funds appropriated for that purpose, the 
commissioner shall establish and administer a financial assistance 
program to encourage private economic development in rural areas.  
Financial assistance under the program may be provided only to:
		(1)  a county with a population of not more than 75,000;               
		(2)  a municipality with a population of not more than 
50,000; or    
		(3)  an economic development corporation that 
primarily represents a county or municipality described by this 
subsection.
	(b)  Financial assistance under Subsection (a) may be used 
only for a project relating to:
		(1)  the acquisition or development of land, easements, 
or rights-of-way;
		(2)  attracting new private enterprises to the county 
or municipality, including:
			(A)  manufacturing facilities;                                        
			(B)  freight storage facilities;                                      
			(C)  distribution warehouse centers; and                              
			(D)  other nonretail private enterprises;                             
		(3)  the construction, extension, or other improvement 
of:           
			(A)  water or waste disposal facilities; or                           
			(B)  transportation infrastructure; or                                
		(4)  any other activity relating to private economic 
development that the commissioner determines will encourage 
economic and infrastructure development in a rural area.
	(c)  To further a purpose described by Subsection (b), the 
commissioner may provide financial assistance to an eligible 
county, municipality, or economic development corporation by:
		(1)  extending credit by direct loan, based on the 
credit of the county, municipality, or economic development 
corporation;
		(2)  providing a credit enhancement;                                   
		(3)  effectively lowering interest rates;                              
		(4)  financing a purchase or lease agreement in 
connection with an economic or infrastructure development project; 
or
		(5)  providing methods of leveraging money from sources 
other than this state that are related to the project for which the 
assistance is provided.
	(d)  A county, municipality, or economic development 
corporation that receives funds under Subsection (c) shall 
segregate the funds from other funds under the control of the 
county, municipality, or economic development corporation and use 
the funds only for a purpose described by this section.  Any funds 
disbursed through the program must be repaid on terms determined by 
the department.
	(e)  The department shall adopt rules necessary to implement 
this section.