HBA-CMT S.B. 200 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 200 By: Madla State Affairs 5/10/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Regional planning commissions, councils of governments, or similar regional planning agencies (commission) are defined by law as political subdivisions of the state, but they have no regulatory power or other authority possessed by cities, counties, or other local governments. Commissions operate a variety of programs and provide services designed to meet regional needs. Specific programs and activities often stem from contracts or agreements with state or federal agencies, other regional organizations, and local governments. Currently, state agencies and commissions are not required to coordinate with each other in the implementation of state programs. Senate Bill 200 requires coordination between state agencies and commissions in the implementation of state programs at the regional level. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 200 amends the Local Government Code to require state agencies when carrying out their planning and program development responsibilities to coordinate planning with regional planning commissions, councils of governments, or other similar regional planning agencies to ensure effective and orderly implementation of state programs at the regional level. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.