TX SB1305

Establishes the Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund Program administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide loans, grants, and forgivable loans for constructing, rehabilitating, or expanding grocery stores in underserved low-income and moderate-income areas

Defines eligible areas as census tracts with poverty rates of 20% or higher, median family incomes at or below 81% of state/metro area median (low-income), or median incomes between 81-95% of state/metro median (moderate-income)

Requires at least 25% of fund money be used for grants or forgivable loans, with no more than 10% reserved for administrative costs; fund sources include legislative appropriations, federal/state/private grants, and federal tax credits

Mandates that financing recipients agree for five years to accept WIC and SNAP benefits, allocate 30% of retail space to perishable foods, promote Texas-grown produce and products, and promote hiring local residents

Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules by December 1, 2025, contract with nonprofit organizations or community development financial institutions by December 15, 2025, and transfer money to the fund by January 15, 2026