HBA-NRS H.B. 2171 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2171
By: Elkins
Transportation
4/23/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Houston is the only major city in the United States that has
enclosed high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV). The current system in Houston
only moves traffic one way for a certain period time. HOV lanes require the
space of two lanes, but offer only one lane of travel. Many other cities
use what is known as a diamond lane system. The diamond lane system allows
the HOV lane to be available, allows buses to have a dedicated lane to
travel, and allows access on and off the HOV lane 24 hours a day. House
Bill 2171 provides that the diamond lane system must be used for HOV lanes
constructed in Texas after September 1, 2001. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Transportation
in SECTION 2 of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2171 amends the Transportation Code to provide that a
high-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV) must be designated, constructed,
operated, and maintained so as to allow vehicles to move freely between the
HOV lane and adjacent lanes of the highway. The bill does not prohibit the
erection of a barrier between lanes for traffic moving in opposite
directions. The bill applies only to an HOV lane initially constructed by
the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or designated by the Texas
Transportation Commission after September 1, 2001. The bill requires TxDOT
to adopt the rules necessary to implement provisions relating to HOV lanes
not later than December 31, 2001. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.