78R8905 T

By:  Casteel                                                      H.B. No. 2947



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to cost control and accountability in the decentralization 
of state programs and services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 772, Government Code is amended by 
adding a new section to read as follows:
	Sec. 772.011.  DECENTRALIZATION OF STATE PROGRAMS AND 
SERVICES.  (a)  State agencies that decentralize programs or 
services to public entities or nonprofit organizations in a region 
or regions shall consult with the governing bodies of regional 
planning commissions established by counties and municipalities in 
such region(s).
	(b)  The geographic state planning regions established by 
the governor pursuant to Chapter 391, Local Government Code, or 
combinations thereof, shall be used as the geographic area for 
regional decentralization of state programs or services.
	(c)  State agencies, in planning for the regional 
decentralization of services, shall consider the use of regional 
planning commissions established by counties and municipalities:
		(1)  to achieve efficiencies through shared costs for 
executive management, administration, 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 co-locating 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)  Any proposed or final rule, order, or guide adopted by a 
state agency must include a statement as to how the agency complied 
with the provisions of this section.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.