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.