85R12929 JTS-F
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 3174
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an environmental report as part of a municipality's
comprehensive plan for long-range development.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 213.003, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to
read as follows:
(a) A comprehensive plan may be adopted or amended only by
ordinance following:
(1) a hearing at which the public is given the
opportunity to give testimony and present written evidence; and
(2) review by the municipality's planning commission
or department, if one exists.
(c) The governing body of a municipality that has adopted a
comprehensive plan shall update the plan at least every five years.
SECTION 2. Chapter 213, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 213.006 to read as follows:
Sec. 213.006. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION REPORT. (a) As
part of a municipality's comprehensive plan, the municipality's
governing body must also adopt an environmental evaluation report
that includes:
(1) projected environmental changes that may be
reasonably anticipated due to implementation of the comprehensive
plan regarding air, water, and soil quality;
(2) any adverse environmental effects to be monitored
due to changes in air, water, and soil quality;
(3) an evaluation of projected environmental benefits
that may be reasonably related to implementation of the
comprehensive plan;
(4) an evaluation of adverse environmental results
that may be reasonably related to implementation of the
comprehensive plan;
(5) measures for the identification and environmental
protection of environmental resources that may reasonably be
affected by the plan; and
(6) either:
(A) an assessment of the cost to remedy or
mitigate any adverse effects or results identified in Subdivisions
(2) and (4); or
(B) a feasibility study of alternative planning
that mitigates those adverse effects or results.
(b) The environmental evaluation report may include:
(1) the organizational structure of community
planning committees; and
(2) the identification of best practices, procedures,
processes, and resources for developing, implementing, achieving,
reviewing, and maintaining continuous improvement in environmental
policy.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.