The Houston-Galveston Area Council is the region-wide voluntary association of local governments in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning region of Texas. Its service area is 12,500 square miles and contains more than 6 million people.

H-GAC's mission is to serve as the instrument of local government cooperation, promoting the region's orderly development and the safety and welfare of its citizens.

H-GAC is governed by a Board of Directors composed of local elected officials who serve on the governing bodies of member local governments.  There are 36 members on the H GAC Board.

H-GAC provides many tools: information, region-wide plans, and services to support the region’s local governments.  Key H-GAC governmental services include transportation planning, cooperative purchasing, homeland security, air and water quality planning, forecasting, and mapping.  H-GAC also serves the region through workforce development, criminal justice, 9-1-1, small business finance, and other programs contributing to the region’s quality of life and economic competitiveness.