HBA-DMH S.B. 907 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 907
By: Shapleigh
Transportation
5/10/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, whenever one of the state's military bases deploys troops, the
military uses the state's highways, roads, and infrastructure to move
troops and equipment. Last legislative session, the Texas Department of
Transportation (TXDOT) conducted a study of the deployment routes only for
Fort Hood. The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military
Installations, in its most recent interim report, recommended the
completion of such a study for the entire state.  Senate Bill 907 requires
TXDOT to conduct a statewide study to identify and recommend the
improvement of the deployment routes most often used by the military 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 907 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to
conduct a study of strategic deployment routes and other highways and
intermodal facilities critical to the mission of the military.  As part of
its study, the bill requires TxDOT to meet with appropriate persons from
military installations in this state to identify the strategic deployment
routes and highways and intermodal facilities most often used by the
military.  The bill requires TxDOT to specifically study the conditions of
these routes and highways and intermodal facilities and identify the
highways and intermodal facilities that need further construction,
expansion, or maintenance. The bill requires TxDOT to consider the costs
necessary to accomplish the improvements and authorizes TxDOT to base a
portion of the study on prior TxDOT studies that provide substantially
accurate data and address a relevant or designated issue for study. 

The bill requires TxDOT to submit, not later than January 1, 2003, a
written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives detailing the results of the study, including any
recommendations for legislative action.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 includes representatives of affected
municipalities and counties among the appropriate persons with whom the
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is required to meet. The
amendment also requires TxDOT to identify the strategic deployment routes
and highways and intermodal facilities that may be needed for future
missions.