BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2160

By: Coleman

County Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Regional councils assist governmental entities in responding to the needs of constituents by providing a statewide, multifunctional network for determining the most effective and efficient way to meet local needs and overseeing the delivery of needed services. The general purpose of a regional council is to study and create plans to guide the unified, pervasive development of a region, eliminate duplication, and promote economy and efficiency. A regional council is a useful instrument that enables local government to implement public policy and provide essential services.

C.S.H.B. 2160 provides for legislative representation on certain regional councils and metropolitan planning organizations.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2160 amends the Local Government Code to require the governing body of a regional planning commission, council of governments, or similar regional planning agency created under provisions relating to regional planning commissions of a region that is consistent with the geographic boundaries of a state planning region to offer a full membership or an ex officio membership on the governing body to a member of the legislature who represents a district located wholly or partly in the region of the commission, council, or agency.

C.S.H.B. 2160 amends the Transportation Code to require the policy board of a metropolitan planning organization, to the extent permissible under federal law, to offer an ex officio, nonvoting membership on the policy board to a member of the legislature who represents a district located wholly or partly in the region of the metropolitan planning organization.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2160 differs from the original, in a provision of the bill requiring the governing body of a regional planning commission, council of governments, or similar regional planning agency to offer certain membership on the governing body to a member of the legislature, by specifying such commission, council, or agency be of a region that is consistent with the geographic boundaries of a state planning region, whereas the original does not make such a specification.  The substitute differs from the original by specifying such a member of the legislature as a member who represents a district located wholly or partly in the region of the commission, council, or agency, whereas the original specifies a member who represents the region of the commission, council, or agency.

C.S.H.B. 2160 contains a provision not included in the original requiring the policy board of a metropolitan planning organization, to the extent permissible under federal law, to offer an ex officio, nonvoting membership on the policy board to a member of the legislature who represents a district located wholly or partly in the region of the metropolitan planning organization.