88R12240 MZM-F
 
  By: Morales Shaw H.B. No. 5156
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of fair decision making policies by
  metropolitan planning organizations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 472, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 472.037 to read as follows:
         Sec. 472.037.  FAIR DECISION MAKING POLICY. (a) Each
  metropolitan planning organization shall develop and implement a
  policy for fair decision making in the organization's planning
  process. In developing the policy, a metropolitan planning
  organization shall:
               (1)  analyze the current representation and voting
  structure of the organization's policy board and any existing
  committees;
               (2)  consider:
                     (A)  the current and projected population of the
  area served by the organization; and
                     (B)  the projected number of jobs that will be
  created by each potential project considered by the organization;
               (3)  propose changes to ensure fair and proportional
  representation on the organization's policy board and any existing
  committees of:
                     (A)  urban, suburban, and rural communities
  served by the organization;
                     (B)  individuals served by the organization who do
  not predominantly travel by passenger vehicle; and
                     (C)  historically underrepresented and
  underserved communities served by the organization; and
               (4)  establish guidelines to achieve fair
  representation, including:
                     (A)  proposing new joint powers agreements and
  bylaws to remedy problems related to fair representation;
                     (B)  guidance for adopting proportional voting
  systems based on residential populations of areas represented by
  the organization's policy board and any existing committees to
  provide equal representation for all residents served by the
  organization; and
                     (C)  guidance for the organization to:
                           (i)  include individuals from diverse
  backgrounds on organization committees; and
                           (ii)  ensure that the organization is
  receiving input from individuals from diverse backgrounds that are
  served by the organization.
         (b)  Not later than July 31, 2024, each metropolitan planning
  organization shall submit a report to the department summarizing
  the policy developed by the organization under Subsection (a).
  This subsection expires August 31, 2024.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.