SB2732 - Relating to public involvement procedures for the statewide transportation improvement program.

      By: Cook S.B. No. 2732               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to public involvement procedures for the statewide   transportation improvement program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 201.8115 to read as follows:           Sec.   201.8115.     PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCEDURES FOR STATEWIDE   TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. (a) During the development of   the statewide transportation improvement program, the department   shall hold a quarterly public meeting in each department district   regarding the adoption of the proposed program.           (b)  The department shall:                 (1)     publish notice of each meeting under Subsection   (a) in the Texas Register not later than the 15th day before the   date of the meeting;                 (2)     accept verbal public comments and questions during   each meeting held under Subsection (a);                 (3)  prepare a written debriefing assessment of:                       (A)     each meeting held under Subsection (a) that   summarizes the highlights or major accomplishments from the   meeting; and                       (B)     public verbal comments and questions   received under Subdivision (2) that summarizes the comments and   questions received and key points or issues raised in the comments;                 (4)     make the debriefing assessments required under   Subdivision (3) available to the public on the department's   Internet website or through e-mail distribution;                 (5)     develop a response mechanism that informs   stakeholders of ideas received from the public during the meeting   held under Subsection (a) or though verbal comments received under   Subdivision (2) that the department is incorporating into the   program and clearly communicates why alternate decisions are   required for ideas that the department does not incorporate into   the program;                 (6)     demonstrate explicit consideration and response   to public input during the development of the statewide   transportation improvement program; and                 (7)     inform the public of how the statewide   transportation improvement program interacts with local   transportation improvement planning, the timeline for that   planning, and how to obtain more information on that process.           (c)     Before the department may consider project designs for   any transportation project included in the statewide   transportation improvement program, the department must hold a   meeting under Subsection (a) to discuss the project.          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, 2025.