TITLE 34. PUBLIC FINANCE

PART 1. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

CHAPTER 12. ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Comptroller of Public Accounts proposes new Chapter 12, concerning Economic Growth, to provide the procedures for creating advisory committees on economic growth and endangered species act compliance. New Chapter 12 is necessary to implement Senate Bill 2534, 81st Legislature, 2009, authorizing the comptroller to create advisory boards as deemed necessary to assist the new Interagency Task Force on Economic Growth and Endangered Species. The new rules will be published as Texas Administrative Code, Title 34, Part 1, Chapter 12, new Subchapter A, §12.1, concerning General Definitions; and Subchapter B, §§12.51 - 12.54, concerning Definitions, Advisory Board Creation, Purpose and Composition, Meetings and General Advisory Board Responsibilities. Senate Bill 2534, 81st Legislature, 2009, declares as its purpose to establish mechanisms for state agencies to assist local communities engaged in economic development activities to comply with endangered species laws and regulations. It creates a task force of state agencies with experience in supporting economic growth and compliance with endangered species laws and regulations. Further, it authorizes the comptroller to create advisory committees to advise the task force regarding the economic development issues that specifically relate to local communities in their efforts to comply with endangered species laws and regulations.

John Heleman, Chief Revenue Estimator, has determined that for the first five-year period the new chapter will be in effect, there will be no significant revenue impact on the state or units of local government.

Mr. Heleman also has determined that for each year of the first five years the new chapter would benefit the public by clarifying the comptroller's procedures for implementing Senate Bill 2534, 81st Legislature, 2009. The proposed chapter would have no fiscal impact on small businesses. There is no significant anticipated economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed chapter.

Comments on the proposals may be submitted to Cary Dupuy, Natural Resource Policy Advisor, Natural Resources Policy Division, at cary.dupuy@cpa.state.tx.us or at P.O. Box 13528 Austin, Texas 78711.

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL DEFINITIONS

34 TAC §12.1

The new subchapter is authorized under Government Code, §2110.005, which provides that a state agency that creates an advisory committee shall adopt rules related to state the purpose and tasks of the committee and that describe the reporting requirements of the committee.

The new subchapter implements Government Code, §490E.005, which authorizes the comptroller to establish advisory committees to assist the task force on economic growth and endangered species in its work.

§12.1.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) "Comptroller" means the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and any division or entity within the Office of the Comptroller or managed by the comptroller.

(2) "Person" means an individual or corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity.

(3) "Staff" means employees of the comptroller selected by the comptroller to serve on behalf of the comptroller or assist in the performance of duties delegated to the comptroller.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 17, 2009.

TRD-200902924

Martin Cherry

General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 30, 2009

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


SUBCHAPTER B. ADVISORY COMMITTEES

34 TAC §§12.51 - 12.54

The new subchapter is authorized under Government Code, §2110.005, which provides that a state agency that creates an advisory committee shall adopt rules related to state the purpose and tasks of the committee and that describe the reporting requirements of the committee.

The new subchapter implements Government Code, §490E.005, which authorizes the comptroller to establish advisory committees to assist the task force on economic growth and endangered species in its work.

§12.51.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) "Act" means Government Code, Chapter 490E, as adopted by Senate Bill 2534, 81st Legislature, 2009.

(2) "Advisory committee" means an advisory committee created pursuant to the Act.

(3) "Representatives of affected landowners" means a person:

(A) that owns a significant interest in real property within the geographic area that is the focus of the advisory committee;

(B) an individual designated as a representative by a person identified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; or

(C) an individual or individuals designated by an association or organization that is known to represent the interests of persons identified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

(4) "Representatives of conservation interests" means individuals with a significant interest in the preservation of natural resources within the geographic area that is the focus of the advisory committee.

(5) "Representatives of municipalities or other affected jurisdictions" means individuals identified with or designated by municipalities or other governmental entities any part of which is within or contiguous to the geographic area that is the focus of the advisory committee.

(6) "Task Force" means the interagency task force on economic growth and endangered species created under the Act.

§12.52.Advisory Board Creation, Purpose and Composition.

(a) With the advice of the task force, the comptroller may create advisory committees to assist the task force with its work. The comptroller may prepare and provide to the task force an advisory committee framework statement that identifies:

(1) the purpose and task of the advisory committee;

(2) the geographic area which will be the focus of an advisory committee;

(3) proposed members to the advisory committee in accord with subsection (b) of this section, identifying one of such members to serve as interim presiding officer;

(4) the method and time for the advisory committee to submit its recommendations to the comptroller and task force;

(5) timelines for the completion of work of the committee; and

(6) any other matter that the comptroller determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(b) The comptroller shall propose members for the advisory committee that provide the balance necessary to address economic, environmental, and policy issues related to the specific issue or action under consideration by selecting of the total number of committee members:

(1) one-third of the members to be representatives of affected landowners;

(2) one-third of the members to be representatives of conservation interests; and

(3) one-third of the members to be representatives of municipalities or other affected jurisdictions.

(c) The comptroller may prepare an advisory committee framework with such amendments as deemed appropriate and send the framework to each selected committee member as an appointment to serve on the committee. The comptroller may amend the advisory committee framework at any time.

(d) In the event of a permanent vacancy occurring on the committee at any time, the comptroller may appointment a replacement consistent with subsection (b) of this section.

§12.53.Meetings.

(a) The advisory committee is required to meet as often as necessary to complete the work of the committee.

(b) Meetings shall be called by the advisory committee's presiding officer.

(c) Meetings shall be subject to the requirements of the Open Meetings Act.

§12.54.General Advisory Board Responsibilities.

(a) An advisory committee shall provide advice and recommendations to the task force by identifying cost-efficient and effective recommendations for economic development and Endangered Species Act compliance in the geographic area designated in its framework.

(b) An advisory committee may provide advice and recommendations to the task force regarding such other matters as designated in its framework.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 17, 2009.

TRD-200902925

Martin Cherry

General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 30, 2009

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387