H.B. No. 74
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain financial assistance administered by the Texas
  Department of Housing and Community Affairs in certain rural areas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2306.6702(a), Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivisions (12) and (17) to read as follows:
               (12)  "Rural area" means an area that is: 
                     (A)  described by Section 2306.004(28-a); or
                     (B)  designated by the department as a rural area
  under Section 2306.6740.
               (17)  "Urban area" means the area that is located
  within the boundaries of a primary metropolitan statistical area or
  a metropolitan statistical area other than an area:
                     (A)  described by Section 2306.004(28-a)(B); or 
                     (B)  designated by the department as a rural area
  under Section 2306.6740. 
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter DD, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2306.6740 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2306.6740.  DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN AREAS AS RURAL. (a)
  The department by rule shall provide for the designation by the
  department of an area located within the boundaries of a primary
  metropolitan statistical area or a metropolitan statistical area as
  a rural area under Section 2306.6702(a)(12)(B) for purposes of
  receiving housing tax credits administered by the department under
  this subchapter.
         (b)  Rules adopted under this section must:
               (1)  provide procedures by which a political
  subdivision or a census-designated place may apply for a rural
  designation; 
               (2)  provide guidelines for designating an area as
  rural, including specifying:
                     (A)  conditions under which a rural designation is
  not appropriate, including the proximity of the area to or the
  presence of major amenities commonly associated with urban or
  suburban areas; and
                     (B)  conditions under which a rural designation is
  appropriate, including areas with low population density, the
  proximity of the area to or the absence of major amenities commonly
  associated with urban or suburban areas, a high level of
  undeveloped land, a significant presence of unimproved roads, or
  significant agricultural activity; and
               (3)  ensure that any housing tax credits allocated to a
  designated rural area comply with applicable federal requirements
  regarding that assistance.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 74 was passed by the House on April
  30, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 122, Nays 17, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 74 on May 29, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 90, Nays 46, 3
  present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 74 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 27, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays
  5.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor