The bill would amend the Transportation Code by adding Section 201.6016 to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to develop and implement a policy for equitable decision making in the transportation planning process. The bill would require the policy to: (1) analyze race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and geographic representation in positions and on boards, commissions, and committees responsible for transportation planning-related decisions; (2) analyze public participation in TxDOT's planning processes to ensure that people of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, socio-economic status, languages, and geographic locations are successfully participating; and (3) establish guidelines for TxDOT, the Texas Transportation Commission, and certain regional and local transportation planning and decision-making entities to achieve equitable representation.
Based on the information provided by TxDOT, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.