By: Carona S.B. No. 502
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Texas Department of
Transportation, counties, and certain toll project entities and
regional mobility authorities to enter into funding agreements to
expedite the entity's environmental review duties related to
certain transportation projects.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 222, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 222.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 222.004. AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO
EXPEDITE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. (a) The department, a county, a
regional tollway authority operating under Chapter 366, or a
regional mobility authority operating under Chapter 370 may enter
into an agreement to provide funds to a state or federal agency to
expedite the agency's performance of its duties related to the
environmental review process for transportation projects:
(1) of the department;
(2) listed in a metropolitan planning organization's
long-range transportation plan under 23 U.S.C. Section 134; or
(3) of a county, a regional tollway authority
operating under Chapter 366, or a regional mobility authority
operating under Chapter 370.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an agreement
entered into under this section:
(1) may specify transportation projects the
applicable entity considers to be priorities for review; and
(2) must require the agency receiving money to
complete the environmental review in less time than is customary
for the completion of environmental review by that agency.
(c) The department may enter into a separate agreement for a
transportation project that the department determines has regional
importance.
(d) An agreement entered into under this section does not
diminish or modify the rights of the public regarding review and
comment on transportation projects.
(e) An entity entering into an agreement under this section
shall make the agreement available on the entity's Internet
website.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.