The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. (1) Accessories--Equipment required for emergency medical service vehicles to provide treatment and transportation of adult, pediatric and neonatal patients as described in 25 TAC Chapter 157, Subchapter B, Emergency Medical Services Provider Licenses.
2. (2) Ambulance--A vehicle registered with the Texas Department of State Health Services as an emergency medical service vehicle excluding watercraft and air ambulances.
3. (3) Applicant--A qualified county that applies for a grant under Local Government Code, §130.914.
4. (4) Fiscal year--The twelve consecutive calendar months during which an applicant tracks its finances for budget and accounting purposes.
5. (5) Grant--A rural ambulance service grant awarded under Local Government Code, §130.914 and this subchapter.
6. (6) Grant agreement--An agreement between the comptroller and a grant recipient that governs the terms of a grant.
7. (7) Grant program--The rural ambulance service grant program established by Local Government Code, §130.914.
8. (8) Grant recipient--A qualified county that receives a grant under this subchapter.
9. (9) Per capita income--The per capita income based on the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data for the year that correlates with the most recent federal census data.
10. (10) Per capita taxable property value--The per capita taxable property value based on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts data for the year that correlates with the most recent federal census data.
11. (11) Population--The population shown by the most recent federal decennial census.
12. (12) Qualified county--A county with a population of 68,750 or less.
13. (13) Qualified rural ambulance service provider--A private safety entity or public agency as those terms are defined by Health and Safety Code, §772.001, licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide emergency medical services and operating in a qualified county.
14. (14) Unemployment rate--The unemployment rate based on the Texas Workforce Commission data for the year that correlates with the most recent federal census data.

Source Note:The provisions of this §16.500 adopted to be effective March 18, 2026, 51 TexReg 1715.