By: Ellis  S.B. No. 2169
         (In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2009; March 31, 2009, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Government Organization;
  April 7, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 6,
  Nays 0; April 7, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the establishment of a smart growth policy work group
  and the development of a smart growth policy for this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 2060 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 2060.  SMART GROWTH POLICY
         Sec. 2060.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "work group"
  means the work group on smart growth policy established under this
  chapter.
         Sec. 2060.002.  WORK GROUP ON SMART GROWTH POLICY.  (a)  The
  work group is composed of a representative from the following
  agencies appointed by the executive head of the agency:
               (1)  the comptroller's office;
               (2)  the Texas Department of Transportation;
               (3)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community
  Affairs;
               (4)  the Department of State Health Services;
               (5)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
               (6)  the Texas Workforce Commission;
               (7)  the General Land Office;
               (8)  the Office of Rural Community Affairs;
               (9)  the Railroad Commission of Texas;
               (10)  the Department of Agriculture;
               (11)  the Texas Education Agency; and
               (12)  other state or regional agencies considered
  necessary by the co-presiding officers of the work group.
         (b)  The representatives from the Texas Department of
  Transportation, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and
  the Department of State Health Services shall serve as co-presiding
  officers of the work group.
         (c)  The work group shall hold regular meetings.
         Sec. 2060.003.  DUTIES OF WORK GROUP.  (a)  The work group
  shall collaborate and develop a comprehensive smart growth plan for
  the state to prepare for the projected population growth in the
  state.
         (b)  In developing the plan, the work group shall consider
  and develop policies for addressing:
               (1)  the quality of community life;
               (2)  the design of municipalities, counties, and
  regions;
               (3)  economic issues;
               (4)  environmental issues;
               (5)  health issues;
               (6)  housing issues;
               (7)  transportation issues;
               (8)  mixed land use;
               (9)  gentrification;
               (10)  development decisions that are predictable,
  fair, and cost-effective; and
               (11)  the encouragement of community and stakeholder
  collaboration in development decisions.
         (c)  The work group shall 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)  The work group shall solicit and obtain input from
  relevant stakeholders.
         Sec. 2060.004.  REPORT TO LEGISLATURE.  Not later than
  January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the work group shall submit a
  report to the legislature on the smart growth plan and policies
  developed by the work group under this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than November 1, 2009, the executive
  head of each agency included on the work group under Chapter 2060,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint a
  representative to the work group on smart growth policy.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
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