BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1990
	By: Miles
	Transportation
	4/8/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas Legislature created the Gulf Coast Rail District (GCRD) to enhance the economic benefits of rail, while improving regional quality of life. With an anticipated addition of 4.2 million people and 1.6 million jobs by the year 2045, the eight-county Houston-Galveston region will see an influx of millions of additional trips on its transportation network. S.B. 1990 amends Section 171.053, Texas Transportation Code, to include advanced transportation technologies such as bus rapid transit and other modes of services to existing GCRD authority.

The greater Houston-Galveston area will benefit from a commuter rail system that includes bus rapid transit. Bus rapid transit system is a combination of elements of light rail and a standard bus to provide faster and more convenient rides for the community. S.B. 1990 allows GCRD the ability to construct bus rapid transit projects, which will facilitate important partnership opportunities in transportation for the greater Houston-Galveston region.

As proposed, S.B. 1990 amends current law relating to the powers of certain freight rail districts.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 171.053, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 171.053. INTERMUNICIPAL COMMUTER RAIL DISTRICT POWERS. Authorizes the governing bodies of the county or counties and of the most populous municipality in the most populous county to provide that the district is authorized to exercise the powers of an intermunicipal commuter rail district created under Chapter 173 (Intermunicipal Commuter Rail Districts) or former Article 6550c-1, Revised Statutes, including the powers related to a commuter rail facility and other types of passenger rail services and advanced transportation technologies, rather than the powers related to a commuter rail facility and other types of passenger rail services, including bus rapid transit, and other modes of service, by specifying in the concurrent order or ordinance creating the district that those powers may be exercised by the district.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.