Texas Gov. David Acton has filed the Texas Community Flood Match Act, a proposed two-year state program that would provide matching money for local flood-control and voluntary property-buyout projects in areas with repeated flooding.

According to Acton’s press release, the program would be limited to ZIP codes that have flooded at least three times over a 10-year period. Eligible projects would include channel work, storm sewers, detention basins and voluntary buyouts of properties in floodways.

The proposal carries a $180 million total spending cap, split across two competitive funding rounds of up to $90 million each. Any money not spent under the program would return to the state’s general revenue, the release said.

Under the bill, the state could pay no more than half of an approved project’s cost. Cities and counties seeking grants would have to supply their own qualifying funds through taxes, fees, bonds or cash. Federal grants and the value of staff time would not count toward the required local share.

Acton said the structure is intended to support communities that already have identified flood-prone streets and properties and have projects ready to proceed.

“Local governments already know which streets and houses take water,” Acton said in the release. “This puts a limited amount of state money on the table if they put up their own dollars and have a project ready.”

Applications would be scored publicly on flood history, the number of structures protected, the size of the local contribution, project readiness and cost. The release said additional local funding would improve an application’s score. Climate or equity statements would not receive points under the listed criteria.

The bill would impose several limits on awards. No applicant could receive more than $12 million, while no county could receive more than $35 million. Program overhead would be capped at 3 percent.

For voluntary buyouts, the proposal would require a no-rebuild deed restriction for property located in a floodway. Sellers would receive at least the property’s pre-flood tax value or a current appraisal, according to the release.

The measure would not require local governments to apply for funding, raise taxes or alter land-use rules. Its provisions would expire after 24 months unless a new bill is enacted to continue the program.

“This is a match, not a mandate, and it ends on its own,” Acton said. “If it works, communities get ditches and buyouts built. If it does not, the money goes back.”

Acton is listed as the bill’s sponsor. The press release said the measure currently has no cosponsors. Under the state’s legislative process, the proposal would need to be considered and voted on before it could become law.