SB2770 - Relating to equitable representation in decision making for transportation planning.

      By: Cook S.B. No. 2770               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to equitable representation in decision making for   transportation planning.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:   SECTION 1.  Sections 201.05l(b) and (i), Transportation Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  The members shall be appointed to reflect the diverse   geographic regions and population groups of this state. One member   must reside in a rural area and be a registered voter of a county   with a population of less than 150,000.   One member must have   experience as a frequent transit user, bicycle or pedestrian   commuter, or as a person with a disability that has affected their   use of the transportation system.          (i)  Appointments to the commission shall [ be made without   regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national   origin of the appointees and shall ] reflect the diversity of the   population of the state as a whole.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 201.6016 to read as follows:           Sec.   201.6016.   EQUITABLE DECISION MAKING POLICY. The   department shall develop and implement a policy for equitable   decision making in the transportation planning process.   The policy   must:                 (1)     analyze race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and   geographic representation in positions and on boards, commissions,   and committees responsible for transportation planning-related   decisions, including:                       (A)     metropolitan planning organization   committees;                       (B)  department executive leadership;                       (C)  the commission; and                       (D)  governing bodies of:                             (i)     regional mobility authorities, county   toll road authorities, and regional tollway authorities;                             (ii)  transit authorities; and                             (iii)  port authorities;                 (2)     analyze public participation in the department's   planning processes to ensure people of all races, ethnicities,   genders, abilities, socio-economic status, languages, and   geographic locations are successfully participating in those   processes; and                 (3)     establish guidelines for the entities under   Subdivision (1) to achieve equitable representation, including at   least the following:                       (A)     proposing new joint powers agreements and   bylaws to remedy problems;                       (B)  guidance on improving public processes;                       (C)     guidance for adopting proportional voting   systems based upon residential populations of member governments to   provide equal representation for all residents in decisions of   entities such as metropolitan planning organizations; and                       (D)     guidance for entities to include people with   disabilities at all levels of decision making.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.