HBA-NRS H.B. 2522 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2522
By: Wilson
Transportation
4/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

With the closing of Robert Mueller Airport in Austin, an additional venue
for air travel in Central Texas has been eliminated. Bill 2522 requires the
Texas Department of Transportation to establish and maintain a state
airport in Central Texas.  

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2522 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in consultation with the State
Aircraft Pooling Board, to establish and maintain an airport in Central
Texas, open to the public for the use of licensed aircraft. In determining
the appropriate location for a state airport in Central Texas, the bill
requires TxDOT to consider factors relating to property and air travel in
Central Texas including property with existing airport facilities owned by
the most populous city in the region. The bill authorizes TxDOT to acquire
property by eminent domain that TxDOT considers necessary to enable TxDOT
to meet its requirements in establishing a state airport in Central Texas.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

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