H.B. No. 2947
AN ACT
relating to state agency decentralization of services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 391, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 391.0091 to read as follows:
Sec. 391.0091. STATE AGENCY CONSULTATION WITH REGIONAL
PLANNING COMMISSIONS. (a) In this section, "service" includes a
program.
(b) If a state agency determines that a service provided by
that agency should be decentralized to a multicounty region, the
agency shall use a state planning region or combination of regions
for the decentralization.
(c) A state agency that decentralizes a service provided to
more than one public entity or nonprofit organization in a region
shall consult with the commission for that region in planning the
decentralization. The commission shall consult with each affected
public entity or nonprofit organization.
(d) A state agency, in planning for decentralization of a
service in a region, shall consider using a commission for that
service to:
(1) achieve efficiencies through shared costs for:
(A) executive management;
(B) administration;
(C) financial accounting and reporting;
(D) facilities and equipment;
(E) data services; and
(F) 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) This section does not apply to a service:
(1) that continues to be operated by a state agency
through a regional administrative office of that agency; or
(2) for which the state agency determines that a law,
rule, or program policy makes use of the geographic area of a single
county or adjacent counties more appropriate.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 2001, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2001.041 to read as follows:
Sec. 2001.041. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW ON DECENTRALIZATION. A
state agency rule, order, or guide relating to decentralization of
agency services or programs must include a statement of the manner
in which the agency complied with Section 391.0091, Local
Government Code.
SECTION 3. Section 2001.041, Government Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to a state agency rule, order, or guide
adopted on or after September 1, 2003.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2947 was passed by the House on April
25, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2947 on May 30, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2947 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 28, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor