87R11617 JTS-F

By: Morales Shaw H.B. No. 4513

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to planning for equity of access to and safety and diversity of transportation systems.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 201.601(a), (a-1), and (c), Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The department shall develop a statewide transportation plan covering a period of 24 years that contains safe options for all modes of transportation, including:

(1) walking, by pedestrians of all ages and abilities;

(2) bicycling;

(3) highways and turnpikes;

(4) [(2)] aviation;

(5) [(3)] mass transportation;

(6) [(4)] railroads and high-speed railroads; and

(7) [(5)] water traffic.

(a-1) The plan must:

(1) contain specific and clearly defined transportation system strategies, long-term transportation goals for the state and measurable targets for each goal, and other related performance measures;

(2) identify priority corridors, projects, or areas of the state that are of particular concern to the department in meeting the goals established under Subdivision (1); [and]

(3) contain a participation plan specifying methods for obtaining formal input on the goals and priorities identified under this subsection from:

(A) other state agencies;

(B) political subdivisions;

(C) local transportation entities; and

(D) the general public;

(4) use methodologies to plan for equitable access to transportation systems by all area residents; and

(5) consider alternative design and investment options, alternative growth forecasts, and robust alternative travel demand models that will ensure equity among the area's residents.

(c) The plan must include a component that is not financially constrained and identifies transportation improvements designed to relieve congestion, end traffic deaths, and increase safe and fast transportation access by all modes of transportation. In developing this component of the plan, the department shall seek opinions and assistance from officials who have local responsibility for modes of transportation listed in Subsection (a).

SECTION 2. Section 201.620, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 201.620. COORDINATION WITH METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP LONG-TERM PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS. (a) The department shall collaborate with metropolitan planning organizations to develop mutually acceptable assumptions for the purposes of long-range federal and state funding forecasts and use those assumptions to guide long-term planning in the statewide transportation plan under Section 201.601.

(b) The assumptions under Subsection (a) must be developed:

(1) through a public process;

(2) using methodologies to plan for equitable access to transportation systems by all area residents; and

(3) using a range of reasonable alternative future population and job growth scenarios and travel demand models.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.