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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of fair decision making policies by |
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metropolitan planning organizations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 472, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 472.037 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 472.037. FAIR DECISION MAKING POLICY. (a) Each |
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metropolitan planning organization shall develop and implement a |
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policy for fair decision making in the organization's planning |
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process. In developing the policy, a metropolitan planning |
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organization shall: |
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(1) analyze the current representation and voting |
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structure of the organization's policy board and any existing |
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committees; |
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(2) consider: |
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(A) the current and projected population of the |
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area served by the organization; and |
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(B) the projected number of jobs that will be |
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created by each potential project considered by the organization; |
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(3) propose changes to ensure fair and proportional |
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representation on the organization's policy board and any existing |
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committees of: |
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(A) urban, suburban, and rural communities |
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served by the organization; |
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(B) individuals served by the organization who do |
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not predominantly travel by passenger vehicle; and |
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(C) historically underrepresented and |
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underserved communities served by the organization; and |
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(4) establish guidelines to achieve fair |
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representation, including: |
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(A) proposing new joint powers agreements and |
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bylaws to remedy problems related to fair representation; |
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(B) guidance for adopting proportional voting |
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systems based on residential populations of areas represented by |
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the organization's policy board and any existing committees to |
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provide equal representation for all residents served by the |
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organization; and |
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(C) guidance for the organization to: |
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(i) include individuals from diverse |
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backgrounds on organization committees; and |
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(ii) ensure that the organization is |
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receiving input from individuals from diverse backgrounds that are |
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served by the organization. |
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(b) Not later than July 31, 2024, each metropolitan planning |
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organization shall submit a report to the department summarizing |
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the policy developed by the organization under Subsection (a). |
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This subsection expires August 31, 2024. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |