82R8292 YDB-D

By: Jackson S.B. No. 1048

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of public and private facilities and infrastructure.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapters 2267 and 2268 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2267. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 2267.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Affected jurisdiction" means any county or municipality in which all or a portion of a qualifying project is located.

(2) "Comprehensive agreement" means the comprehensive agreement authorized by Section 2267.058 between the contracting person and the responsible governmental entity.

(3) "Contracting person" means a person who enters into a comprehensive or interim agreement with a responsible governmental entity under this chapter.

(4) "Develop" means to plan, design, develop, finance, lease, acquire, install, construct, or expand a qualifying project.

(5) "Governmental entity" means:

(A) a board, commission, department, or other agency of this state, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and

(B) a political subdivision of this state, including a municipality, a county, or any kind of district.

(6) "Interim agreement" means an agreement authorized by Section 2267.059 between a contracting person and a responsible governmental entity that proposes the development or operation of the qualifying project.

(7) "Lease payment" means any form of payment, including a land lease, by a governmental entity to the contracting person for the use of a qualifying project.

(8) "Material default" means any default by a contracting person in the performance of duties imposed under Section 2267.057(e) that jeopardizes adequate service to the public from a qualifying project.

(9) "Operate" means to finance, maintain, improve, equip, modify, repair, or operate a qualifying project.

(10) "Qualifying project" means:

(A) any ferry, mass transit facility, vehicle parking facility, port facility, fuel supply facility, oil or gas pipeline, transmission system, distribution system, water supply facility, public work, waste treatment facility, telecommunications or automated data processing facility, hospital, school, medical or nursing care facility, recreational facility, public building, or other similar facility currently available or to be made available to a governmental entity for public use, including any structure, parking area, appurtenance, and other property required to operate the structure or facility;

(B) technology infrastructure, services, and applications, including:

(i) telecommunications, automated data processing, and word processing and management information systems; and

(ii) related information, equipment, goods, and services;

(C) any services designed to increase the productivity or efficiency of the responsible governmental entity through the use of technology or other means; or

(D) any improvements necessary or desirable to unimproved real estate owned by a governmental entity.

(11) "Responsible governmental entity" means a governmental entity that has the power to develop or operate an applicable qualifying project.

(12) "Revenue" means all revenue, income, earnings, user fees, lease payments, or other service payments that support the development or operation of a qualifying project, including money received as a grant or otherwise from the federal government, a governmental entity, or any agency or instrumentality of the federal government or governmental entity in aid of the project.

(13) "Service contract" means a contract between a governmental entity and a contracting person under Section 2267.054.

(14) "Service payment" means a payment to a contracting person of a qualifying project under a service contract.

(15) "User fee" means a rate, fee, or other charge imposed by a contracting person for the use of all or part of a qualifying project under a comprehensive agreement.

Sec. 2267.002. DECLARATION OF PUBLIC PURPOSE; CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER. (a) The legislature finds that:

(1) there is a public need for timely acquisition, design, construction, improvement, renovation, expansion, equipping, maintenance, operation, implementation, and installation of education facilities, technology infrastructure, and other public infrastructure and government facilities in this state that serve a public need and purpose;

(2) the public need may not be wholly satisfied by existing methods of procurement in which qualifying projects are acquired, designed, constructed, improved, renovated, expanded, equipped, maintained, operated, implemented, or installed;

(3) there are inadequate resources to develop new education facilities, technology infrastructure, and other public infrastructure and government facilities for the benefit of the citizens of this state, and there is demonstrated evidence that partnerships between public entities and private entities or other persons can meet these needs by improving the schedule for delivery, lowering the cost, and providing other benefits to the public;

(4) financial incentives exist under state and federal tax provisions that encourage public entities to enter into partnerships with private entities or other persons to develop qualifying projects; and

(5) authorizing private entities or other persons to develop or operate one or more qualifying projects may serve the public safety, benefit, and welfare by making the projects available to the public in a more timely or less costly fashion.

(b) An action authorized under Section 2267.053 serves the public purpose of this chapter if the action facilitates the timely development or operation of a qualifying project.

(c) The purposes of this chapter include:

(1) encouraging investment in this state by private entities and other persons;

(2) facilitating bond financing or other similar financing mechanisms, private capital, and other funding sources that support the development or operation of qualifying projects in order to expand and accelerate financing for qualifying projects that improve and add to the convenience of the public; and

(3) providing governmental entities with the greatest possible flexibility in contracting with private entities or other persons to provide public services subject to this chapter.

(d) This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with the purposes of this section.

Sec. 2267.003. APPLICABILITY. This chapter does not apply to:

(1) the financing, design, construction, maintenance, or operation of a highway in the state highway system; or

(2) a transportation authority created under Chapter 451, 452, 453, or 460, Transportation Code.

[Sections 2267.004-2267.050 reserved for expansion]

SUBCHAPTER B. QUALIFYING PROJECTS

Sec. 2267.051. APPROVAL REQUIRED; SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL FOR QUALIFYING PROJECT. (a) A person may not develop or operate a qualifying project unless the person obtains the approval of and contracts with the responsible governmental entity under this chapter. The person may initiate the approval process by submitting a proposal requesting approval under Section 2267.053(a), or the responsible governmental entity may request proposals or invite bids under Section 2267.053(b).

(b) A person submitting a proposal requesting approval of a qualifying project shall specifically and conceptually identify any facility, building, infrastructure, or improvement included in the proposal as a part of the qualifying project.

(c) On receipt of a proposal submitted by a person initiating the approval process under Section 2267.053(a), the responsible governmental entity shall determine whether to accept the proposal for consideration in accordance with Sections 2267.052 and 2267.066 and the guidelines adopted under those sections. A responsible governmental entity that determines not to accept the proposal for consideration shall return the proposal, all fees, and the accompanying documentation to the person submitting the proposal.

(d) The responsible governmental entity may at any time reject a proposal initiated by a person under Section 2267.053(a).

Sec. 2267.052. ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES BY RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. (a) Before requesting or considering a proposal for a qualifying project, a responsible governmental entity must adopt and make publicly available guidelines that enable the governmental entity to comply with this chapter. The guidelines must be reasonable, encourage competition, and guide the selection of projects under the purview of the responsible governmental entity.

(b) The guidelines for a responsible governmental entity described by Section 2267.001(5)(A) must:

(1) require the responsible governmental entity to:

(A) make a representative of the entity available to meet with persons who are considering submitting a proposal; and

(B) provide notice of the representative's availability;

(2) provide reasonable criteria for choosing among competing proposals;

(3) contain suggested timelines for selecting proposals and negotiating an interim or comprehensive agreement;

(4) allow the responsible governmental entity to accelerate the selection, review, and documentation timelines for proposals involving a qualifying project considered a priority by the entity;

(5) include financial review and analysis procedures that at a minimum consist of a cost-benefit analysis, an assessment of opportunity cost, and consideration of the results of all studies and analyses related to the proposed qualifying project;

(6) allow the responsible governmental entity to consider the nonfinancial benefits of a proposed qualifying project;

(7) include criteria for:

(A) the qualifying project, including the scope, costs, and duration of the project and the involvement or impact of the project on multiple public entities;

(B) the creation of and the responsibilities of an oversight committee, with members representing the responsible governmental entity, that acts as an advisory committee to review the terms of any proposed interim or comprehensive agreement; and

(C) compliance with the requirements of Chapter 2268;

(8) require the responsible governmental entity to analyze the adequacy of the information to be released by the entity when seeking competing proposals and require that the entity provide more detailed information, if the entity determines necessary, to encourage competition, subject to Section 2267.053(g);

(9) establish criteria, key decision points, and approvals required to ensure that the responsible governmental entity considers the extent of competition before selecting proposals and negotiating an interim or comprehensive agreement; and

(10) require the posting and publishing of public notice of a proposal requesting approval of a qualifying project, including:

(A) specific information and documentation regarding the nature, timing, and scope of the qualifying project, as required under Section 2267.053(a);

(B) a reasonable period of not less than 45 days, as determined by the responsible governmental entity, to encourage competition and partnerships with private entities and other persons in accordance with the goals of this chapter, during which the responsible governmental entity must accept submission of competing proposals for the qualifying project; and

(C) a requirement for advertising the notice on the governmental entity's Internet website and on TexasOnline or the state's official Internet website.

(c) The guidelines of a responsible governmental entity described by Section 2267.001(5)(B):

(1) may include the provisions required under Subsection (b); and

(2) must include a requirement that the governmental entity engage the services of qualified professionals, including an architect, professional engineer, or certified public accountant, not otherwise employed by the governmental entity, to provide independent analyses regarding the specifics, advantages, disadvantages, and long-term and short-term costs of any proposal requesting approval of a qualifying project unless the governing body of the governmental entity determines that the analysis of the proposal is to be performed by employees of the governmental entity.

Sec. 2267.053. APPROVAL OF QUALIFYING PROJECTS BY RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY. (a) A private entity or other person may submit a proposal requesting approval of a qualifying project by the responsible governmental entity. The proposal must be accompanied by the following, unless waived by the responsible governmental entity:

(1) a topographic map, with a 1:2,000 or other appropriate scale, indicating the location of the qualifying project;

(2) a description of the qualifying project, including:

(A) the conceptual design of any facility or a conceptual plan for the provision of services or technology infrastructure; and

(B) a schedule for the initiation of and completion of the qualifying project that includes the proposed major responsibilities and timeline for activities to be performed by the governmental entity and the person;

(3) a statement of the method the person proposes for securing necessary property interests required for the qualifying project;

(4) information relating to any current plans for the development of facilities or technology infrastructure to be used by a governmental entity that are similar to the qualifying project being proposed by the person for each affected jurisdiction;

(5) a list of all permits and approvals required for the development and completion of the qualifying project from local, state, or federal agencies and a projected schedule for obtaining the permits and approvals;

(6) a list of any public utility facilities that will be affected by the qualifying project and a statement of the person's plans to accommodate the affected facilities;

(7) a statement on the person's general plans for financing the qualifying project, including the sources of the person's funds and identification of any dedicated revenue source or proposed debt or equity investment for the person;

(8) the name and address of each individual who may be contacted for further information concerning the request;

(9) user fees, lease payments, and other service payments over the term of the interim or comprehensive agreement and the methodology and circumstances for changes to the user fees, lease payments, and other service payments over time; and

(10) any additional material and information the responsible governmental entity reasonably requests.

(b) A responsible governmental entity may request proposals or invite bids from persons for the development or operation of a qualifying project.

(c) The responsible governmental entity may approve as a qualifying project the development or operation of a facility needed by the governmental entity, or the design or equipping of a qualifying project, if the responsible governmental entity determines that the project serves the public purpose of this chapter. The responsible governmental entity may determine that the development or operation of the project as a qualifying project serves the public purpose if:

(1) there is a public need for or benefit derived from the project of the type the person proposes as a qualifying project;

(2) the estimated cost of the project is reasonable in relation to similar facilities; and

(3) the person's plans will result in the timely development or operation of the qualifying project.

(d) The responsible governmental entity may charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs of processing, reviewing, and evaluating the proposal, including reasonable legal fees and fees for financial, technical, and other necessary advisors or consultants.

(e) The approval of the responsible governmental entity is subject to the private entity or other person entering into an interim or comprehensive agreement with the responsible governmental entity.

(f) On approval of the qualifying project, the responsible governmental entity shall establish a date by which activities related to the qualifying project must begin. The responsible governmental entity may extend the date.

(g) The responsible governmental entity shall take action appropriate under Section 552.153 to protect confidential and proprietary information provided by the contracting person under an agreement.

(h) Before entering into the negotiation of an interim or comprehensive agreement, each responsible governmental entity described by Section 2267.001(5)(A) must submit copies of detailed proposals to the Partnership Advisory Commission in accordance with Chapter 2268.

(i) This chapter and an interim or comprehensive agreement entered into under this chapter do not enlarge, diminish, or affect any authority a responsible governmental entity has to take action that would impact the debt capacity of this state.

Sec. 2267.054. SERVICE CONTRACTS. A responsible governmental entity may contract with a contracting person for the delivery of services to be provided as part of a qualifying project in exchange for service payments and other consideration as the governmental entity considers appropriate.

Sec. 2267.055. AFFECTED JURISDICTIONS. (a) A person submitting a proposal to a responsible governmental entity under Section 2267.053 shall notify each affected jurisdiction by providing a copy of its proposal to the affected jurisdiction.

(b) Not later than the 60th day after the date an affected jurisdiction receives the notice required by Subsection (a), the affected jurisdiction that is not the responsible governmental entity for the respective qualifying project shall submit in writing to the responsible governmental entity any comments the affected jurisdiction has on the proposed qualifying project and indicate whether the facility or project is compatible with the local comprehensive plan, local infrastructure development plans, the capital improvements budget, or other government spending plan. The responsible governmental entity shall consider the submitted comments before entering into a comprehensive agreement with a contracting person.

Sec. 2267.056. DEDICATION AND CONVEYANCE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. (a) A governmental entity may dedicate any property interest, including land, improvements, and tangible personal property, for public use in a qualifying project if the governmental entity finds that the dedication will serve the public purpose of this chapter by minimizing the cost of a qualifying project to the governmental entity or reducing the delivery time of a qualifying project.

(b) In connection with a dedication under Subsection (a), a governmental entity may convey any property interest, including licenses, franchises, easements, or any other right or interest the governmental entity considers appropriate, subject to the conditions imposed by general law governing such conveyances, to the contracting person for the consideration determined by the governmental entity. The consideration may include the agreement of the contracting person to develop or operate the qualifying project.

Sec. 2267.057. POWERS AND DUTIES OF CONTRACTING PERSON. (a) The contracting person has the power granted by general law to a person that has the same form of organization as the contracting person and also has the power:

(1) to develop or operate the qualifying project; and

(2) to collect lease payments, impose user fees, or enter into service contracts in connection with the use of the project.

(b) The contracting person may own, lease, or acquire any other right to use or operate the qualifying project.

(c) The contracting person may finance a qualifying project in the amounts and on the terms determined by the contracting person. The contracting person may issue debt, equity, or other securities or obligations, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, and secure any financing with a pledge of, security interest in, or lien on any or all of its property, including all of its property interests in the qualifying project.

(d) In operating the qualifying project, the contracting person may:

(1) establish classifications according to reasonable categories for assessment of user fees; and

(2) with the consent of the responsible governmental entity, adopt and enforce reasonable rules for the qualifying project to the same extent as the responsible governmental entity.

(e) The contracting person shall:

(1) develop or operate the qualifying project in a manner that is acceptable to the responsible governmental entity and in accordance with the interim or comprehensive agreement;

(2) subject to Subsection (f), keep the qualifying project open for use by the public at all times, or as appropriate based on the use of the project, after its initial opening on payment of the applicable user fees, lease payments, or service payments;

(3) maintain, or provide by contract for the maintenance or upgrade of, the qualifying project, if required by the interim or comprehensive agreement;

(4) cooperate with the responsible governmental entity to establish any interconnection with the qualifying project requested by the responsible governmental entity; and

(5) comply with the interim or comprehensive agreement and any lease or service contract.

(f) The qualifying project may be temporarily closed because of emergencies or, with the consent of the responsible governmental entity, to protect public safety or for reasonable construction or maintenance activities. If a qualifying project is technology infrastructure, access may be limited as determined by the conditions of the interim or comprehensive agreement.

(g) This chapter does not prohibit a contracting person of a qualifying project from providing additional services for the qualifying project to the public or persons other than the responsible governmental entity, provided that the provision of additional service does not impair the contracting person's ability to meet the person's commitments to the responsible governmental entity under the interim or comprehensive agreement.

Sec. 2267.058. COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT. (a) Before developing or operating the qualifying project, the contracting person must enter into a comprehensive agreement with the responsible governmental entity. The comprehensive agreement shall provide for:

(1) delivery of maintenance, performance, and payment bonds and letters of credit in connection with the development or operation of the qualifying project, in the forms and amounts satisfactory to the responsible governmental entity and in compliance with all applicable statutes for those components of the qualifying project that involve construction;

(2) review of plans and specifications for the qualifying project by the responsible governmental entity and approval by the responsible governmental entity if the plans and specifications conform to standards acceptable to the responsible governmental entity, except the contracting person may not be required to complete design of a qualifying project before the execution of a comprehensive agreement;

(3) inspection of the qualifying project by the responsible governmental entity to ensure that the contracting person's activities are acceptable to the responsible governmental entity in accordance with the comprehensive agreement;

(4) maintenance of a public liability insurance policy, copies of which must be filed with the responsible governmental entity accompanied by proofs of coverage, or self-insurance, each in the form and amount satisfactory to the responsible governmental entity and reasonably sufficient to ensure coverage of tort liability to the public and project employees and to enable the continued operation of the qualifying project;

(5) monitoring of the practices of the contracting person by the responsible governmental entity to ensure that the qualifying project is properly maintained;

(6) reimbursement to be paid to the responsible governmental entity for services provided by the responsible governmental entity;

(7) filing of appropriate financial statements on a periodic basis; and

(8) policies and procedures governing the rights and responsibilities of the responsible governmental entity and the contracting person if the comprehensive agreement is terminated or there is a material default by the contracting person, including conditions governing:

(A) assumption of the duties and responsibilities of the contracting person by the responsible governmental entity; and

(B) the transfer or purchase of property or other interests of the contracting person to the responsible governmental entity.

(b) The comprehensive agreement shall provide for any user fee, lease payment, or service payment established by agreement of the parties. In negotiating a user fee under this section, the parties shall establish a payment or fee that is the same for persons using a facility of the qualifying project under like conditions and that will not materially discourage use of the qualifying project. The execution of the comprehensive agreement or an amendment to the agreement is conclusive evidence that the user fee, lease payment, or service payment complies with this chapter. A user fee or lease payment established in the comprehensive agreement as a source of revenue may be in addition to, or in lieu of, a service payment.

(c) A comprehensive agreement may include a provision that authorizes the responsible governmental entity to make grants or loans to the contracting person from money received from the federal, state, or local government or any agency or instrumentality of the government.

(d) The comprehensive agreement must incorporate the duties of the contracting person under this chapter and may contain terms the responsible governmental entity determines serve the public purpose of this chapter. The comprehensive agreement may contain:

(1) provisions that require the responsible governmental entity to provide notice of default and cure rights for the benefit of the contracting person and the persons specified in the agreement as providing financing for the qualifying project;

(2) other lawful terms to which the contracting person and the responsible governmental entity mutually agree, including provisions regarding unavoidable delays or providing for a loan of public money to the contracting person to develop or operate one or more qualifying projects; and

(3) provisions in which the authority and duties of the contracting person under this chapter cease and the qualifying project is dedicated for public use to the responsible governmental entity or, if the qualifying project was initially dedicated by an affected jurisdiction, to the affected jurisdiction.

(e) Any change in the terms of the comprehensive agreement that the parties agree to must be added to the comprehensive agreement by written amendment.

(f) The comprehensive agreement may provide for the development or operation of phases or segments of the qualifying project.

Sec. 2267.059. INTERIM AGREEMENT. Before or in connection with the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement, the responsible governmental entity may enter into an interim agreement with the contracting person proposing the development or operation of the qualifying project. The interim agreement may:

(1) authorize the contracting person to begin project phases or activities for which the contracting person may be compensated relating to the proposed qualifying project, including project planning and development, design, engineering, environmental analysis and mitigation, surveying, and financial and revenue analysis, including ascertaining the availability of financing for the proposed facility or facilities of the qualifying project;

(2) establish the process and timing of the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement; and

(3) contain any other provision related to any aspect of the development or operation of a qualifying project that the parties consider appropriate.

Sec. 2267.060. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE. (a) The contracting person and the responsible governmental entity may use any funding resources that are available to the parties, including:

(1) accessing any designated trust funds; and

(2) borrowing or accepting grants from any state infrastructure bank.

(b) The responsible governmental entity may take any action to obtain federal, state, or local assistance for a qualifying project that serves the public purpose of this chapter and may enter into any contracts required to receive the assistance.

(c) If the responsible governmental entity is a state agency, any money received from the state or federal government or any agency or instrumentality of the state or federal government is subject to appropriation by the legislature.

(d) The responsible governmental entity may determine that it serves the public purpose of this chapter for all or part of the costs of a qualifying project to be directly or indirectly paid from the proceeds of a grant or loan made by the local, state, or federal government or any agency or instrumentality of the government.

Sec. 2267.061. MATERIAL DEFAULT; REMEDIES. (a) If the contracting person commits a material default, the responsible governmental entity may assume the responsibilities and duties of the contracting person of the qualifying project. If the responsible governmental entity assumes the responsibilities and duties of the contracting person, the responsible governmental entity has all the rights, title, and interest in the qualifying project, subject to any liens on revenue previously granted by the contracting person to any person providing financing for the project.

(b) A responsible governmental entity that has the power of eminent domain under state law may exercise that power to acquire the qualifying project in the event of a material default by the contracting person. Any person who has provided financing for the qualifying project, and the contracting person to the extent of its capital investment, may participate in the eminent domain proceedings with the standing of a property owner.

(c) The responsible governmental entity may terminate, with cause, the interim or comprehensive agreement and exercise any other rights and remedies available to the governmental entity at law or in equity.

(d) The responsible governmental entity may make any appropriate claim under the maintenance, performance, or payment bonds or letters of credit required by Section 2267.058(a)(1).

(e) If the responsible governmental entity elects to assume the responsibilities and duties for a qualifying project under Subsection (a), the responsible governmental entity may:

(1) develop or operate the qualifying project;

(2) impose user fees;

(3) impose and collect lease payments for the use of the project; and

(4) comply with any applicable contract to provide services.

(f) The responsible governmental entity shall collect and pay to secured parties any revenue subject to a lien to the extent necessary to satisfy the contracting person's obligations to secured parties, including the maintenance of reserves. The liens shall be correspondingly reduced and, when paid off, released.

(g) Before any payment is made to or for the benefit of a secured party, the responsible governmental entity may use revenue to pay the current operation and maintenance costs of the qualifying project, including compensation to the responsible governmental entity for its services in operating and maintaining the qualifying project. The right to receive any payment is considered just compensation for the qualifying project.

(h) The full faith and credit of the responsible governmental entity may not be pledged to secure any financing of the contracting person the governmental entity assumed when it assumed responsibility for the qualifying project.

Sec. 2267.062. EMINENT DOMAIN. (a) At the request of the contracting person, the responsible governmental entity may exercise any power of eminent domain that it has under law to acquire any land or property interest to the extent that the responsible governmental entity finds the action serves the public purpose of this chapter.

(b) Any amounts to be paid in any eminent domain proceeding shall be paid by the contracting person.

Sec. 2267.063. AFFECTED PUBLIC UTILITY. (a) The contracting person and each public utility, including a public service company or cable television provider, whose facilities will be affected by a qualifying project shall cooperate fully in planning and arranging the manner in which the facilities will be affected.

(b) A governmental entity possessing the power of eminent domain may exercise that power in connection with the relocation of facilities affected by the qualifying project or that must be relocated to the extent that the relocation is necessary or desirable by construction of, renovation to, or improvements to the qualifying project, which includes construction of, renovation to, or improvements to temporary facilities to provide service during the period of construction or improvement.

(c) The contracting person shall pay any amount owed for the crossing, constructing, or relocating of facilities.

(d) If the contracting person and the public utility cannot agree on a plan for the public utility facility affected by the project, the Public Utility Commission of Texas may determine the manner in which the crossing, constructing, or relocating of the facility is to be accomplished and any damages due arising out of the crossing, construction, or relocation. The commission, at the expense of the contracting person, may employ expert engineers to:

(1) examine the location and plans for the crossing, constructing, or relocating;

(2) hear any objections and consider modifications; and

(3) make a recommendation to the commission.

(e) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall make the determination not later than the 90th day after the date the commission is notified by the contracting person that the qualifying project will affect utilities subject to the commission's jurisdiction.

Sec. 2267.064. POLICE POWERS; VIOLATIONS OF LAW. A peace officer of this state or of any affected jurisdiction has the same powers and jurisdiction within the area of the qualifying project as the officer has in the officer's area of jurisdiction. The officer may access the qualifying project at any time to exercise the officer's powers and jurisdiction.

Sec. 2267.065. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. (a) This chapter is not a waiver of the sovereign immunity of this state, any responsible governmental entity, or any affected jurisdiction or of any officer or employee of the state, responsible governmental entity, or affected jurisdiction with respect to the participation in or approval of all or part of the qualifying project or its operation, including interconnection of the qualifying project with any other infrastructure or project.

(b) A county or municipality in which a qualifying project is located has sovereign immunity with respect to its design, construction, and operation to the same extent provided by Chapter 271, Local Government Code.

Sec. 2267.066. PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES. (a) Chapters 2155, 2156, and 2166, any interpretations, rules, or guidelines of the comptroller and the Texas Facilities Commission, and interpretations, rules, or guidelines developed under Chapter 2262 do not apply to a qualifying project under this chapter.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a responsible governmental entity may enter into a comprehensive agreement only in accordance with guidelines adopted by the entity that are consistent with contracts for procurement using the design-build method specified as appropriate in:

(1) Section 2166.2531;

(2) Section 44.036, Education Code; or

(3) Section 271.119, Local Government Code.

(c) The responsible governmental entity shall proceed in accordance with the guidelines adopted under Subsection (b) unless it determines that proceeding in accordance with alternate guidelines adopted by the entity is likely to be advantageous to the entity and the public based on:

(1) the probable scope, complexity, or priority of the project;

(2) risk sharing, including guaranteed cost or completion guarantees, added value, or debt or equity investments proposed by the contracting person; or

(3) an increase in funding, dedicated revenue source, or other economic benefit that would not otherwise be available.

(d) If the responsible governmental entity determines to proceed according to the guidelines adopted by the entity under Subsection (c), the entity before entering into a comprehensive agreement must:

(1) state in writing the reasons for its determination; and

(2) obtain the approval of the comptroller if the governmental entity is a governmental entity described by Section 2267.001(5)(A).

(e) This chapter does not authorize or require a responsible governmental entity to obtain professional services through any process except in accordance with guidelines adopted by the entity consistent with Chapter 2254.

Sec. 2267.067. POSTING OF PROPOSALS; PUBLIC COMMENT; PUBLIC ACCESS TO PROCUREMENT RECORDS. (a) Not later than the 10th day after the date a responsible governmental entity accepts a proposal submitted in accordance with Section 2267.053(a) or (b), the responsible governmental entity shall provide notice of the proposal as follows:

(1) for a responsible governmental entity described by Section 2267.001(5)(A), by posting the proposal on the entity's Internet website; and

(2) for a responsible governmental entity described by Section 2267.001(5)(B), by:

(A) posting a copy of the proposal on the entity's Internet website; or

(B) publishing in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the qualifying project is to be performed a summary of the proposal and the location where copies of the proposal are available for public inspection.

(b) The responsible governmental entity shall make available for public inspection at least one copy of the proposal. This section does not prohibit the responsible governmental entity from posting the proposal in another manner considered appropriate by the responsible governmental entity to provide maximum notice to the public of the opportunity to inspect the proposal.

(c) Trade secrets, financial records, or other records of the contracting person excluded from disclosure under Section 552.101 may not be posted or made available for public inspection except as otherwise agreed to by the responsible governmental entity and the contracting person.

(d) The responsible governmental entity shall hold a public hearing on the proposal during the proposal review process not later than the 30th day before the date the entity enters into an interim or comprehensive agreement.

(e) On completion of the negotiation phase for the development of an interim or comprehensive agreement and before an interim agreement or comprehensive agreement is entered into, a responsible governmental entity must make available the proposed agreement in a manner provided by Subsection (a) or (b).

(f) A responsible governmental entity that has entered into an interim agreement or comprehensive agreement shall make procurement records available for public inspection on request. For purposes of this subsection, procurement records do not include the trade secrets of the contracting person or financial records, including balance sheets or financial statements of the contracting person, that are not generally available to the public through regulatory disclosure or other means.

(g) Cost estimates relating to a proposed procurement transaction prepared by or for a responsible governmental entity are not open to public inspection.

(h) Any inspection of procurement transaction records under this section is subject to reasonable restrictions to ensure the security and integrity of the records.

(i) This section applies to any accepted proposal regardless of whether the process of bargaining results in an interim or comprehensive agreement.

Sec. 2267.068. COMPTROLLER REVIEW. (a) The comptroller shall periodically review interim and comprehensive agreements entered into under this chapter to ensure compliance with this chapter.

(b) A responsible governmental entity shall electronically file copies of the agreements and supporting documents with the comptroller. The comptroller shall make the electronic copies of the agreements available on the online database maintained by the comptroller.

CHAPTER 2268. PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 2268.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Partnership Advisory Commission.

(2) "Comprehensive agreement" has the meaning assigned by Section 2267.001.

(3) "Detailed proposal" means a proposal for a qualifying project accepted by a responsible governmental entity beyond a conceptual level of review that defines and establishes periods related to fixing costs, payment schedules, financing, deliverables, and project schedule.

(4) "Interim agreement" has the meaning assigned by Section 2267.001.

(5) "Qualifying project" has the meaning assigned by Section 2267.001.

(6) "Responsible governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by Section 2267.001.

[Sections 2268.002-2268.050 reserved for expansion]

SUBCHAPTER B. COMMISSION

Sec. 2268.051. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. The Partnership Advisory Commission is an advisory commission in the legislative branch that advises responsible governmental entities described by Section 2267.001(5)(A) on proposals received under Chapter 2267.

Sec. 2268.052. COMPOSITION AND TERMS. (a) The commission consists of the following 11 members:

(1) the chair of the House Appropriations Committee or the chair's designee;

(2) four representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(3) the chair of the Senate Finance Committee or the chair's designee;

(4) two senators appointed by the chair of the Senate Rules Committee;

(5) the lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's designee; and

(6) two representatives of the executive branch who must be employees of the governor's office, appointed by the governor.

(b) The legislative members and the lieutenant governor serve on the commission until the expiration of their terms of office or until their successors qualify.

(c) The members appointed by the governor serve at the will of the governor.

Sec. 2268.053. PRESIDING OFFICER. The members of the commission shall elect from among the legislative members a presiding officer and an assistant presiding officer to serve two-year terms.

Sec. 2268.054. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing duties as a member.

Sec. 2268.055. MEETINGS. The commission shall hold meetings quarterly or on the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 2268.056. ADMINISTRATIVE, LEGAL, RESEARCH, TECHNICAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT. (a) The legislative body that the presiding officer serves shall provide administrative staff support for the commission.

(b) The Texas Legislative Council shall provide legal, research, and policy analysis services to the commission.

(c) The staffs of the House Appropriations Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and comptroller shall provide technical assistance.

(d) The comptroller or a state agency shall provide additional assistance as needed.

Sec. 2268.057. COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS. A copy of the proceedings of the commission shall be filed with the legislative body that the presiding officer serves.

Sec. 2268.058. SUBMISSION OF DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR QUALIFYING PROJECTS; EXEMPTION; COMMISSION REVIEW. (a) Before beginning to negotiate an interim or comprehensive agreement, each responsible governmental entity receiving a detailed proposal for a qualifying project must provide copies of the proposal to:

(1) the presiding officer of the commission; and

(2) the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, and Senate Finance Committee or their designees.

(b) The following qualifying projects are not subject to review by the commission:

(1) any proposed qualifying project with a total cost of less than $5 million; and

(2) any proposed qualifying project with a total cost of more than $5 million but less than $50 million for which money has been specifically appropriated as a public-private partnership in the General Appropriations Act.

(c) The commission may undertake additional reviews of any qualifying project that will be completed in phases and for which an appropriation has not been made for any phase other than the current phase of the project.

(d) Not later than the 10th day after the date the commission receives a complete copy of the detailed proposal for a qualifying project, the commission shall determine whether to accept or decline the proposal for review and notify the responsible governmental entity of the commission's decision.

(e) If the commission accepts a proposal for review, the commission shall provide its findings and recommendations to the responsible governmental entity not later than the 45th day after the date the commission receives complete copies of the detailed proposal. If the commission does not provide its findings or recommendations to the responsible governmental entity by that date, the commission is considered to have declined review of the proposal and to not have made any findings or recommendations on the proposal.

(f) The responsible governmental entity on request of the commission shall provide any additional information regarding a qualifying project reviewed by the commission if the information is available to or can be obtained by the responsible governmental entity.

(g) The commission shall review accepted detailed proposals and provide findings and recommendations to the responsible governmental entity that include:

(1) a determination on whether the terms of the proposal and proposed qualifying project create state tax-supported debt, taking into consideration the specific findings of the comptroller with respect to the recommendation;

(2) an analysis of the potential financial impact of the qualifying project;

(3) a review of the policy aspects of the detailed proposal and the qualifying project; and

(4) proposed general business terms.

(h) Review by the commission does not constitute approval of any appropriations necessary to implement a subsequent interim or comprehensive agreement.

(i) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the responsible governmental entity may not begin negotiation of an interim or comprehensive agreement until the commission has submitted its recommendations or declined to accept the detailed proposals for review.

(j) Not later than the 30th day before the date a comprehensive or interim agreement is executed, the responsible governmental entity shall submit to the commission and the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, and Senate Finance Committee or their designees:

(1) a copy of the proposed interim or comprehensive agreement; and

(2) a report describing the extent to which the commission's recommendations were addressed in the proposed interim or comprehensive agreement.

Sec. 2268.059. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN RECORDS SUBMITTED TO COMMISSION. Records and information afforded protection under Section 552.153 that are provided by a responsible governmental entity to the commission shall continue to be protected from disclosure when in the possession of the commission.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 552.153 to read as follows:

Sec. 552.153. PROPRIETARY RECORDS AND TRADE SECRETS INVOLVED IN CERTAIN PARTNERSHIPS. (a) In this section, "affected jurisdiction," "comprehensive agreement," "contracting person," "interim agreement," "qualifying project," and "responsible governmental entity" have the meanings assigned those terms by Section 2267.001.

(b) Information in the custody of a responsible governmental entity that relates to a proposal for a qualifying project authorized under Chapter 2267 is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:

(1) the information consists of memoranda, staff evaluations, or other records prepared by the responsible governmental entity, its staff, outside advisors, or consultants exclusively for the evaluation and negotiation of proposals filed under Chapter 2267 for which:

(A) disclosure to the public before or after the execution of an interim or comprehensive agreement would adversely affect the financial interest or bargaining position of the responsible governmental entity; and

(B) the basis for the determination under Paragraph (A) is documented in writing by the responsible governmental entity; or

(2) the records are provided by a contracting person to a responsible governmental entity or affected jurisdiction under Chapter 2267 and contain:

(A) trade secrets of the contracting person;

(B) financial records of the contracting person, including balance sheets and financial statements, that are not generally available to the public through regulatory disclosure or other means; or

(C) other information submitted by the contracting person that, if made public before the execution of an interim or comprehensive agreement, would adversely affect the financial interest or bargaining position of the responsible governmental entity or the person.

(c) Except as specifically provided by Subsection (b), this section does not authorize the withholding of information concerning:

(1) the terms of any interim or comprehensive agreement, service contract, lease, partnership, or agreement of any kind entered into by the responsible governmental entity and the contracting person or the terms of any financing arrangement that involves the use of any public money; or

(2) the performance of any person developing or operating a qualifying project under Chapter 2267.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.