81R11430 YDB-D
By: Ellis S.B. No. 2169
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a smart growth policy work group
and the development of a smart growth policy for this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 2060 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2060. SMART GROWTH POLICY
Sec. 2060.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "work group"
means the work group on smart growth policy established under this
chapter.
Sec. 2060.002. WORK GROUP ON SMART GROWTH POLICY. (a) The
work group is composed of a representative from the following
agencies appointed by the executive head of the agency:
(1) the comptroller's office;
(2) the Texas Department of Transportation;
(3) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(4) the Department of State Health Services;
(5) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(6) the Texas Workforce Commission;
(7) the General Land Office;
(8) the Office of Rural Community Affairs;
(9) the Railroad Commission of Texas;
(10) the Department of Agriculture;
(11) the Texas Education Agency; and
(12) other state or regional agencies considered
necessary by the co-presiding officers of the work group.
(b) The representatives from the Texas Department of
Transportation, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and
the Department of State Health Services shall serve as co-presiding
officers of the work group.
(c) The work group shall hold regular meetings.
Sec. 2060.003. DUTIES OF WORK GROUP. (a) The work group
shall collaborate and develop a comprehensive smart growth plan for
the state to prepare for the projected population growth in the
state.
(b) In developing the plan, the work group shall consider
and develop policies for addressing:
(1) the quality of community life;
(2) the design of municipalities, counties, and
regions;
(3) economic issues;
(4) environmental issues;
(5) health issues;
(6) housing issues;
(7) transportation issues;
(8) mixed land use;
(9) gentrification;
(10) development decisions that are predictable,
fair, and cost-effective; and
(11) the encouragement of community and stakeholder
collaboration in development decisions.
(c) The work group shall coordinate with councils of
government, regional mobility organizations, metropolitan planning
associations, and smart growth experts in the public and private
sectors, including the United States Environmental Protection
Agency and planning departments in other states.
(d) The work group shall solicit and obtain input from
relevant stakeholders.
Sec. 2060.004. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than
January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the work group shall submit a
report to the legislature on the smart growth plan and policies
developed by the work group under this chapter.
SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2009, the executive
head of each agency included on the work group under Chapter 2060,
Government Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint a
representative to the work group on smart growth policy.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.