Sec. 391.0091.  STATE AGENCY CONSULTATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS.  (a)  In this section, "service" includes a program.
(b)  If a state agency determines that a service provided by that agency should be decentralized to a multicounty region, the agency shall use a state planning region or combination of regions for the decentralization.
(c)  A state agency that decentralizes a service provided to more than one public entity or nonprofit organization in a region shall consult with the commission for that region in planning the decentralization.  The commission shall consult with each affected public entity or nonprofit organization.
(d)  A state agency, in planning for decentralization of a service in a region, shall consider using a commission for that service to:
(1)  achieve efficiencies through shared costs for:
(A)  executive management;
(B)  administration;
(C)  financial accounting and reporting;
(D)  facilities and equipment;
(E)  data services;  and
(F)  audit costs;
(2)  improve the planning, coordination, and delivery of services by coordinating the location of services;
(3)  increase accountability and local control by placing a service under the oversight of the commission;  and
(4)  improve financial oversight through the auditing and reporting required under this chapter.
(e)  This section does not apply to a service:
(1)  that continues to be operated by a state agency through a regional administrative office of that agency;  or
(2)  for which the state agency determines that a law, rule, or program policy makes use of the geographic area of a single county or adjacent counties more appropriate.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 718, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.