SRC-TJG H.B. 2947 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 2947 By: Casteel (Armbrister) State Affairs 5/19/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law requires state agencies to coordinate their planning and program development with regional planning commissions. H.B. 2947 extends this requirement to include an agency's plans for decentralization of services and programs, and outlines the procedures for implementing the requirement. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 772, Government Code, by adding Section 772.011, as follows: Sec. 772.011. DECENTRALIZATION OF STATE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. (a) Requires a state agency that decentralizes programs or services provided to public entities or nonprofit organizations in a region or regions to consult with the governing bodies of regional planning commissions established by counties and municipalities in the region or regions. (b) Requires the geographic state planning regions established by the governor under Chapter 391 (Regional Planning Commissions), Local Government Code, or combinations of such regions, to be used as the geographic area for regional decentralization of state programs or services. (c) Requires state agencies, in planning for the regional decentralization of services, to consider the use of regional planning commissions established by counties and municipalities: (1) to achieve efficiencies through shared costs for executive management, administration, and financial accounting and reporting, sharing of facilities and equipment, data services, and audit costs; (2) to improve the planning, coordination, and delivery of services by colocating programs and services; (3) to increase accountability and local control by placing programs and services under the oversight of the local elected officials and citizens who constitute the governing bodies of regional planning commissions; and (4) to improve financial oversight through the comprehensive auditing and reporting required of regional planning commissions. (d) Requires any proposed or final rule, order, or guide adopted by a state agency to include a statement indicating how the agency complied with the provisions of this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.