HBA-MSH H.B. 914 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 914 By: Alexander Transportation 2/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current federal law, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is required under certain circumstances to mitigate an adverse environmental impact resulting from highway improvements through the creation or maintenance of wetlands or habitat that offsets the loss of the affected ecosystem. TxDOT is authorized to purchase property for these purposes and to contract with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD) for the management of the property. Contracting for management of these properties with public or private entities other than TWPD may reduce TxDOT expenditures. House Bill 914 allows TxDOT to contract with entities other than TWPD for the management of the property used for mitigation. 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 914 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to contract with any public or private entity, rather than only the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, for the management of property used for the mitigation of an adverse environmental impact directly resulting from the construction or maintenance of a state highway. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.