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Bill

Bill

SB 1305

Relating to the establishment of a grocery access investment fund program.

89th Legislature (2025)

Texas establishes investment fund to increase grocery store access in underserved food desert communities, addressing health and economic inequity gaps.

Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
#agriculture #departmentof(v0566) #agriculture(i0020) #business&commerce--smallbusiness&minoritybusiness(i0051) #charitable&nonprofitorganizations(i0055) #food(s0761) #health--otherdiseases&medicalconditions(i0383) #statefinances--management&control(i0748)
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Bill Summary · SB 1305

Legislative bill overview

SB 1305 establishes a grocery access investment fund program in Texas designed to increase food retail availability in underserved communities. The bill creates a funding mechanism to support grocery store development, expansion, or operation in areas with limited access to fresh food and other essential groceries.

Why is this important

Food deserts—areas where residents lack convenient access to affordable groceries—correlate with higher rates of diet-related health conditions, obesity, and chronic disease. This program aims to address a documented gap in retail infrastructure that disproportionately affects low-income and rural Texans, potentially improving public health outcomes and economic development simultaneously.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and amount: The bill's specific funding mechanism, appropriation level, and whether it requires new taxes or redirects existing resources remain unclear from available information and will likely draw scrutiny
  • Program eligibility and geographic targeting: Disagreement may arise over which communities qualify for investment, how funds are allocated between rural and urban areas, and what metrics determine "grocery access"
  • Market intervention concerns: Some may argue government investment in retail creates unfair competition or that private market solutions are preferable; others may counter that market failures justify intervention

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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