BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2169
81R11430 YDB-D By: Ellis
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The State of Texas does very little planning to encourage smart growth, or growth that encourages wise use of land and resources.
As proposed, S.B. 2169 establishes work group on smart growth policy composed of members of 11 state agencies who are required to work with metropolitan planning organizations, councils of government, and federal agencies to develop a plan to be submitted to the legislature to prepare for the projected population growth in the state.
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 Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 2060, as follows:
CHAPTER 2060. SMART GROWTH POLICY
Sec. 2060.001. DEFINITION. Defines "work group."
Sec. 2060.002. WORK GROUP ON SMART GROWTH POLICY. (a) Provides that the work group on smart growth policy (work policy) is composed of a representative from the following agencies appointed by the executive head of the agency: the office of the comptroller of public accounts, the Texas Department of Transportation (DPS), the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas Workforce Commission, the General Land Office, the Office of Rural Community Affairs, the Railroad Commission of Texas, the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Education Agency, and other state or regional agencies considered necessary by the co-presiding officers of the work group.
(b) Requires that representatives from DPS, TCEQ, and DSHS, serve as co-presiding officers of the work group.
(c) Requires the work group to hold regular meetings.
Sec. 2060.003. DUTIES OF WORK GROUP. (a) Requires the work group to collaborate and develop a comprehensive smart growth plan for the state to prepare for the projected population growth in the state.
(b) Requires the work group, in developing the plan, to consider and develop policies for addressing the quality of community life; the design of municipalities, counties, and regions; economic issues; environmental issues; health issues; housing issues; transportation issues; mixed land use; gentrification; development decisions that are predictable, fair, and cost-effective; and the encouragement of community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.
(c) Requires the work group to coordinate with councils of government, regional mobility organizations, metropolitan planning associations, and smart growth experts in the public and private sectors, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and planning departments in other states.
(d) Requires the work group to solicit and obtain input from relevant stakeholders.
Sec. 2060.004. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Requires the work group, not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, to submit a report to the legislature on the smart growth plan and policies developed by the work group under this chapter.
SECTION 2. Requires the executive head of each agency included on the work group under Chapter 2060, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than November 1, 2009, to appoint a representative to the work group on smart growth policy.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.