HB 231

AN ACT relating to a study on food deserts and their disproportionate

House Bill • Morales, Christina | Garcia, Linda

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

← Back to Bills

Committee

Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

relating to a study on food deserts and their disproportionate

Subject Areas

FOOD Health--General STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF Interim Studies

Bill Text

relating to a study on food deserts and their disproportionate
impact among communities of color.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  (a) In this section:
(1)  "Department" means the Department of State Health
(2)  "Food desert" means a geographic area in this
state the department determines is an area with limited access to
(b)  The department, in collaboration with any appropriate
state agency, shall conduct a study on food deserts and any
disproportionate impact food deserts have on communities of color.
In conducting the study, the department shall:
(1)  investigate the causes of food deserts;
(2)  investigate the health effects of food deserts;
(3)  investigate the financial impact of food deserts;
(4)  compare access to healthy and nutritious food
(C)  socioeconomic background; and
(5)  investigate the origins of any disproportionate
impact food deserts have on communities of color.
(c)  Based on the results of the study conducted under this
section, the department shall develop recommendations for
legislative and other action to:
(1)  address disparities in food access among
(2)  increase access to healthy and nutritious food.
(d)  Not later than September 1, 2026, the department shall
prepare and submit to each standing committee of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over the Department of State Health
Services a written report summarizing the results of the study and
including the recommendations developed under this section.
(e)  This Act expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.