(a) The process to promote geographic dispersion of program funds is as described in this subsection:
  (1) For a published period not less than 30 days and in accordance with the NOFA, each state region will be allocated funding amounts for its rural and urban subregions. During this initial period, these funds may be reserved only for Households located in these rural and urban subregions;
  (2) After the initial release of funds under paragraph (1) of this subsection, each state region will combine any remaining funds from its rural and urban subregions into one regional balance for a second published period not to exceed 90 calendar days. During this second period, these funds may be reserved only for Households located in that state region; and
  (3) After no more than 180 calendar days following the initial release date, any funds remaining across all state regions will collapse into one statewide pool. For as long as funds are available, these funds may be reserved for any Households anywhere in the state on a first-come, first-served basis.
(b) If any additional funds beyond the original program allocations that derive from Texas HTF loan repayments, interest earnings, deobligations, and/or other Texas HTF funds in excess of those funds required under Rider 8 or the Department's appropriation made under the General Appropriations Act may be reprogrammed at the discretion of the Department.

Source Note: The provisions of this §26.22 adopted to be effective July 4, 2024, 49 TexReg 4760