Texas Bill Expands Disaster Recovery Grants for Rural Areas

HB 254 is a Texas law that makes it easier for rural areas to get state money for rebuilding after disasters. The bill changes which counties qualify for grants from the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program. This gives communities more support when hurricanes, floods, or other major events cause damage. The law sets clear rules for which counties can apply. A county qualifies if it has fewer than 100,000 people, damage that exceeds 10 percent of the county's annual sales tax collected, and is located in a disaster area. Counties must also have a gross domestic product under $3 billion and a poverty rate greater than 10 percent. These rules help the program focus on rural areas that face the biggest challenges. The bill also expands help to other political subdivisions, such as cities or water districts, that are located in qualifying counties. This means more local organizations can access recovery funds. The expanded program recognizes that disasters affect entire regions, not just one county seat. HB 254 takes effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both the Texas House and Senate. If not, it takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends. The law builds on earlier disaster recovery programs and shows Texas's commitment to helping rural communities bounce back strong.