SRC-AMY C.S.H.B. 2947 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 2947 78R16568 MXM-F By: Casteel (Armbrister) State Affairs 5-23-2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law requires state agencies to coordinate their planning and program development with regional planning commissions. C.S.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 391, Government Code, by adding Section 391.0091, as follows: Sec. 391.0091. STATE AGENCY CONSULTATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS. (a) Defines "service." (b) Requires a state agency, if the agency determines that a service provided by that agency should be decentralized to a multicounty region, to use a state planning region or combination of regions for the decentralization. (c) Requires a state agency that decentralizes a service provided to more than one public entity or nonprofit organization in a region to consult with the regional planning commission (commission) for that region in planning the decentralization. Requires the commission to consult with each affected public entity or nonprofit organization. (d) Requires a state agency, in planning for decentralization of a service in a region, to consider using a commission for that service to: (1) achieve efficiencies through shared costs for executive management, administration, financial accounting and reporting, data services, and audit costs; (2) improve the planning, coordination, and delivery of services by coordinating the location of services; (3) increase accountability and local control by placing a service under the oversight of the commission; and (4) improve financial oversight through the auditing and reporting required under this chapter. (e) Sets forth the services to which this section does not apply. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 2001, Government Code, by adding Section 2001.041, as follows: Sec. 2001.041. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW ON DECENTRALIZATION. Requires a state agency rule, order, or guide relating to decentralization of agency services or programs to include a statement of the manner in which the agency complied with Section 391.0091, Local Government Code. SECTION 3. Makes application of Section 2001.041, Government Code, as added by this Act, prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2003.