<?php

$select = $this->getLayout()->createBlock('core/html_select')
            ->setName($type.'[region]')
            ->setId($type.':region')
            ->setTitle(Mage::helper('checkout')->__('State/Province'))
            ->setClass('required-entry validate-state')
            ->setValue($this->getAddress()->getRegionId())
            ->setOptions($this->getRegionCollection()->toOptionArray());

echo $select->getHtml();

?>