ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DEPARTMENT AND METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS

(a) The commission shall adopt rules governing: (1) the alignment of the department's state and federal funding forecasts, including the annual funding forecast required by Section 201.993, with the funding forecasts of metropolitan planning organizations, including: (A) the funding forecasts used for long-term planning as described in Sections 201.620 and 472.035; and (B) the 10-year transportation plan required by Section 201.9911; (2) the alignment of the statewide project recommendation criteria developed by the department with the project recommendation criteria developed by metropolitan planning organizations that relate to statewide transportation goals, particularly for major mobility projects using a mix of several funding sources and selected by different entities; (3) the department's timelines and review process for the 10-year transportation plans required by Section 201.9911; (4) the department's process for allowing metropolitan planning organizations direct access to the department's information systems, software, and technical assistance for the purpose of accomplishing statewide transportation goals; and (5) the department's process for collaborating with metropolitan planning organizations to regularly evaluate the availability, consistency, and quality of data and other information needed to fully develop a more performance-based transportation planning and project selection system. (b) A rule adopted under Subsection (a)(3) must take into consideration a metropolitan planning organization's other deadlines and requirements in federal law. (c) The commission shall consult a stakeholder group before developing the rules required by Subsection (a).