A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year’s legislative session

“We do want to make sure that the bill’s emphasis on administrative improvements and training is going to serve the bill’s intent and not line pockets for consulting firms,” Cowles said.

The bill also creates a Rural Hospital Financial Vulnerability Index and Needs Assessment, which will evaluate the financial health of rural hospitals, along with a Rural Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program and other measures. Under the bill, each hospital’s reimbursement rates will be updated every two years.

John Henderson, CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, said the bill was the most significant rural health legislation in a “generation.” He said the Medicaid rate protection, pediatric behavioral health and other changes will help rural communities.

“Because these things are now in statute, rural hospitals can count on it,” Henderson said. “Rather than worry about uncertainty related to renewals or budget cycles.”

Rural emergency services will also get a boost from lawmakers. House Bill 3000 by state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, addresses the lack of resources for rural emergency services, which largely happens because of tight budgets that keep medical departments from affording equipment. The bill establishes a grant program for qualified rural counties to purchase ambulances as a way to strengthen emergency services and improve response times.

Agriculture

Texas farmers will soon have access to additional state support, thanks to a bill by Sen. Stan Kitzman, R-Pattison.

House Bill 43 expands both the Young Farmer Grant Program and Young Farmer Interest Rate Reduction Program, which provide money to farmers. Age restrictions were eliminated from the grant program, making the money eligible to all farmers.

Changes to the interest rate reduction program will allow anyone in agriculture to apply for loans up to $1 million at an interest rate of 2%. Under the current program, only 18 to 46 year-olds can only apply for $500,000 loans at a 5% interest rate.

The age restrictions were also eliminated from the grant program, which was limited to 18 to 46-year-olds. Under the bill, grantees could receive up to $500,000 while paying a 10% match. Currently, grantees can only receive $20,000 and have to fully match the grant. Businesses essential to agriculture, like cotton gins, are also now eligible to apply under the bill

Kitzman said the goal is to help producers who are sitting in a tough economy to hang on. Uncertain markets, inflation and growing competition for land have made it difficult for farmers to operate. Rodney Schronk, a fifth-generation farmer from Central Texas whose family has grown cotton, corn and other commodities, tipped his hat to lawmakers for helping agriculture.

“So hopefully it’s enough money that maybe — maybe — there’ll be some farmers that are able to survive these difficult times,” Schronk said.

As his son prepares to take over the family business, Schronk sees how the bill’s expanded funding opportunities could help establish more stability in their own farm. In the coming years it may open the door to actually purchase land, rather than just lease it.

Disaster recovery and emergency preparedness

Lawmakers also passed a bill directing the state’s emergency division to establish a disaster recovery program. Authored by Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, House Bill 3010 makes new money available to certain counties, cities and colleges when extreme weather devastates infrastructure. The bill does not include a specific amount.

Counties must have fewer than 100,000 residents to apply for this funding, which will be administered by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. To be eligible, the cost of restoring destroyed infrastructure must exceed 10% of what the county collects in state and local sales taxes. Applications must include an estimate of the total cost of the repairs and evidence that the project does not qualify for federal assistance.

Leon County Judge Byron Ryder said the money will help counties like his address the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, such as flooding and hurricanes. He said counties often have to dip into their penny-pinched budgets to keep themselves afloat while they wait for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse the damages. That reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Ryder said the county, with roughly 16,000 residents, has spent upwards of hundreds of thousands on previous hurricane and flooding damages, part of which has not been reimbursed.

“We’re on our own for the first 72 hours [of a disaster],” Ryder said. “Everything is spent, and then we hope we get reimbursed by FEMA.”

Another bill by Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, seeks to eliminate the disparities between rural and urban firefighting and rescue capabilities. The bill requires Texas A&M Engineering Service to conduct a study that evaluates the disparities and provide recommendations on how to improve it. Another requirement is that the study considers several factors, including available funding for personnel and equipment and the number of qualified candidates to fill new or vacant positions.

The study is to be submitted by Dec. 1, 2026 to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House.

Lawmakers also passed a slew of bills aimed at preparing the state for wildfires and mitigating the damage. The package of legislation includes 10% of money in the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance program to go to volunteer firefighters at risk for wildfires.