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