HBA-MPM S.B. 586 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 586 By: Ogden Transportation 4/19/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas leads the nation in traffic fatalities. In 1998, more than 3,500 people died on Texas roads, resulting in an economic loss of nearly $9 billion. In 1999, there were 3,106 fatal traffic accidents that resulted in 3,519 deaths. Although significant progress has been made in the last two decades in reducing traffic fatalities per vehicle mile, the number of fatalities is still high. Senate Bill 586 establishes the Center for Transportation Safety to carry out programs of research, education, and technology transfer to support the state's role in improving the safety of the roadways in 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 Senate Bill 586 amends the Education Code to establish the Center for Transportation Safety (center) as a component of the Texas Transportation Institute (institute). The bill requires the center to conduct programs of research, education, and technology transfer to support the state's role in improving the safety of roadways in Texas and sets forth proposed programs relating to roadway safety issues. The bill authorizes the center to enter into interagency contracts and agreements and to contract with local, state, county, federal, and private entities for work under the center's programs. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, of if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.