HBA-MPA H.B. 2979 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2979
By: Hamric
Transportation
4/23/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There is a growing impetus in the state to encourage the use of recycled
products whenever feasible. This helps to reduce the amount of material
going into landfills, space for which is becoming not only scarce, but more
costly.  H.B. 2979 reduces the amount of retainage that the Texas
Department of Transportation withholds until completion of a project from
five percent of the total to four percent when approved recycled materials
are used.  This voluntary program is a tool to be used to encourage the use
of recycled materials in highway projects. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 223.010, Transportation Code, to require four
percent of the contract price for a highway project to be retained until
the entire improvement has been completed and accepted on any contract that
includes the use of recycled materials.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.