Dallas, TX Environmental Rules: Climate Emergency Mobilization (2026)

Dallas City Code Sec. 2-120, in Article XII of Chapter 2, establishes an Environmental Commission composed of 15 voting members drawn from the general public plus eight non-voting technical expert members. Each of the 14 city council members appoints one voting member, the mayor appoints the commission chair, and the full council appoints the vice-chair. The eight non-voting technical experts are appointed by the full council, one from each sector of the CECAP. Two of the general-public voting members must have documented public health experience meeting the CDC's definition of public health; every other general-public member must show at least two years of environmental experience or two years of neighborhood environmental advocacy, which the ordinance defines to include residency in neighborhoods negatively impacted by environmental issues with related experience in transportation, water and waste management, or zoning and land use tied to the CECAP.

A quorum requires a simple majority of appointed members physically present, but never fewer than six. The commission's stated function under subsection (c) is to advise on CECAP implementation and on environmental issues arising in the city. Members serve two-year terms beginning October 1 of odd-numbered years and serve without compensation. The commission must meet at least once a month, take public comment at every meeting, and may adopt its own procedural rules subject to council approval. Subsection (g) sunsets the entire article on June 14, 2027 unless the council reenacts it after a public hearing, meaning the commission's existence itself is time-limited and subject to periodic council review tied directly to CECAP oversight.