1. (a) In this section, "service" includes a program.
2. (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.
3. (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.

4. (d) A state agency, in planning for decentralization of a service in a region, shall consider using a commission for that service to:

   1. (1) achieve efficiencies through shared costs for:

      1. (A) executive management;
      2. (B) administration;
      3. (C) financial accounting and reporting;
      4. (D) facilities and equipment;
      5. (E) data services; and
      6. (F) audit costs;
   2. (2) improve the planning, coordination, and delivery of services by coordinating the location of services;
   3. (3) increase accountability and local control by placing a service under the oversight of the commission; and
   4. (4) improve financial oversight through the auditing and reporting required under this chapter.

5. (e) This section does not apply to a service:

   1. (1) that continues to be operated by a state agency through a regional administrative office of that agency; or
   2. (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.