Sec. 24.055. DIRECT STATE MATCHING GRANTS. (a) The department shall make grants of money from the account to a large county or municipality to provide one-half of the costs of the planning, acquisition, or development of a park, recreational area, or open space area to be owned and operated by the county or municipality.

(b) In establishing the program of grants under this section, the department shall adopt rules and regulations for grant assistance.

(c) Money granted to a county or municipality under this section may be used for the operation and maintenance of parks, recreational areas, cultural resource sites or areas, and open space areas only:

(1) if the park, site, or area is owned or operated and maintained by the department and is being transferred by the commission for public use to the county or municipality for operation and maintenance; and

(2) during the period the commission determines to be necessary to effect the official transfer of the park, site, or area.

(d) The department shall make grants of money from the account to a large county or municipality or to a nonprofit corporation for use in a large county or municipality for recreation, conservation, or education programs for underserved populations to encourage and implement increased access to and use of parks, recreational areas, cultural resource sites or areas, and open space areas by underserved populations.

(e) The department may provide from the account for direct administrative costs of the programs described by this subchapter.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1159 (H.B. 12), Sec. 39, eff. June 15, 2007.