Sec. 222.005.  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 the applicable entity's transportation projects, including those listed in the applicable metropolitan planning organization's long-range transportation plan under 23 U.S.C. Section 134.
(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.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 630), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1060 (S.B. 548), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1345 (S.B. 1420), Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2011.