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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an environmental report as part of a municipality's |
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comprehensive plan for long-range development. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 213.003, Local Government Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A comprehensive plan may be adopted or amended only by |
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ordinance following: |
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(1) a hearing at which the public is given the |
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opportunity to give testimony and present written evidence; and |
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(2) review by the municipality's planning commission |
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or department, if one exists. |
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(c) The governing body of a municipality that has adopted a |
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comprehensive plan shall update the plan at least every five years. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 213, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 213.006 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 213.006. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION REPORT. (a) As |
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part of a municipality's comprehensive plan, the municipality's |
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governing body must also adopt an environmental evaluation report |
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that includes: |
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(1) projected environmental changes that may be |
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reasonably anticipated due to implementation of the comprehensive |
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plan regarding air, water, and soil quality; |
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(2) any adverse environmental effects to be monitored |
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due to changes in air, water, and soil quality; |
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(3) an evaluation of projected environmental benefits |
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that may be reasonably related to implementation of the |
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comprehensive plan; |
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(4) an evaluation of adverse environmental results |
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that may be reasonably related to implementation of the |
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comprehensive plan; |
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(5) measures for the identification and environmental |
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protection of environmental resources that may reasonably be |
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affected by the plan; and |
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(6) either: |
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(A) an assessment of the cost to remedy or |
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mitigate any adverse effects or results identified in Subdivisions |
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(2) and (4); or |
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(B) a feasibility study of alternative planning |
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that mitigates those adverse effects or results. |
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(b) The environmental evaluation report may include: |
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(1) the organizational structure of community |
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planning committees; and |
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(2) the identification of best practices, procedures, |
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processes, and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, |
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reviewing, and maintaining continuous improvement in environmental |
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policy. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |