HB5236 - Relating to the determination by a state agency that an area in this state is a rural area.

  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.