87R11617 JTS-F
By: Morales Shaw H.B. No. 4513
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to planning for equity of access to and safety and
diversity of transportation systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 201.601(a), (a-1), and (c),
Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall develop a statewide transportation
plan covering a period of 24 years that contains safe options for
all modes of transportation, including:
(1) walking, by pedestrians of all ages and abilities;
(2) bicycling;
(3) highways and turnpikes;
(4) [(2)] aviation;
(5) [(3)] mass transportation;
(6) [(4)] railroads and high-speed railroads; and
(7) [(5)] water traffic.
(a-1) The plan must:
(1) contain specific and clearly defined
transportation system strategies, long-term transportation goals
for the state and measurable targets for each goal, and other
related performance measures;
(2) identify priority corridors, projects, or areas of
the state that are of particular concern to the department in
meeting the goals established under Subdivision (1); [and]
(3) contain a participation plan specifying methods
for obtaining formal input on the goals and priorities identified
under this subsection from:
(A) other state agencies;
(B) political subdivisions;
(C) local transportation entities; and
(D) the general public;
(4) use methodologies to plan for equitable access to
transportation systems by all area residents; and
(5) consider alternative design and investment
options, alternative growth forecasts, and robust alternative
travel demand models that will ensure equity among the area's
residents.
(c) The plan must include a component that is not
financially constrained and identifies transportation improvements
designed to relieve congestion, end traffic deaths, and increase
safe and fast transportation access by all modes of
transportation. In developing this component of the plan, the
department shall seek opinions and assistance from officials who
have local responsibility for modes of transportation listed in
Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Section 201.620, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 201.620. COORDINATION WITH METROPOLITAN PLANNING
ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP LONG-TERM PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS. (a) The
department shall collaborate with metropolitan planning
organizations to develop mutually acceptable assumptions for the
purposes of long-range federal and state funding forecasts and use
those assumptions to guide long-term planning in the statewide
transportation plan under Section 201.601.
(b) The assumptions under Subsection (a) must be developed:
(1) through a public process;
(2) using methodologies to plan for equitable access
to transportation systems by all area residents; and
(3) using a range of reasonable alternative future
population and job growth scenarios and travel demand models.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.