bill giving state agencies four tests for what’s rural

The text as introduced · 244 words

89R15668 CS-D

By: Manuel
H.B. No. 5236

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the determination by a state agency that an area in this

state is a rural area.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 2063 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2063. STATE AGENCY DETERMINATION OF AREA AS RURAL

Sec. 2063.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "state agency"

means a department, commission, board, office, or other agency in

the executive branch of state government, including a university

system or institution of higher education as defined by Section

61.003, Education Code.

Sec. 2063.002. DETERMINATION THAT AREA IS RURAL. In

addition to any factor prescribed by other law and to the extent

authorized by that law, a state agency shall, when determining

whether an area of this state is a rural area, consider the

following factors:

(1) the economic need of the area, including whether

the area has high unemployment or low median income;

(2) health care accessibility in the area, including

whether the area has limited access to hospitals, doctors, or

mental health services;

(3) infrastructure development of the area, including

whether the area has adequate roads, public transit, or Internet

access; and

(4) access to and quality of education in the area,

including an assessment of student poverty levels, resource

availability, and school funding levels.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.