BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2974
By: Seidlits
04-19-95
Committee Report (Amended)


BACKGROUND

Texas leads the nation in the number of deadly vehicle-train
crashes, experiencing over 452 crashes during 1993 and a reported
10% increase in 1994.  Despite automated warning devices which
signal the approach of a train, many motorists ignore these signals
and place themselves and their passengers at risk.

PURPOSE

House Bill 2974 authorizes the installation of automated
enforcement systems as a demonstration project to reduce traffic
law violations and deadly vehicle-train crashes at highway-rail
grade crossings.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1: Defines the (1)automatic highway-railroad grade crossing
enforcement system as a system which (A)consists of a camera and
vehicle sensor; and (B)produces automatic photographs of vehicles
which do not stop at automatic gates or proceed when the crossing
is unsafe.
(2)Defines Automatic gate,
(3)defines department as Texas Department of Transportation.
(4)defines grade crossing
(5)defines public highway.

SECTION 2: INSTALLATION. Subsection (a) limits the project to no
more than 10 projects statewide; subsection (b) allows for a
appointment of a committee (from TxDOT, DPS, and Railroad
Commission) to choose the locations of the systems; and (c)
provides for the funding from the Department of Transportation.

SECTION 3: TERM OF PROJECT.  Provides for the department to
conclude the project by August 31, 1997.

SECTION 4: REPORT. Subsection (a) provides for a report to be done
on the effectiveness of the demonstration project; and subsection
(b) requires that the report will be delivered to the governor and
legislature January 1, 1998.

SECTION 5: Effective Date: September 1, 1995

SECTION 6: Emergency Clause.
                                 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee amendment #1, amends H.B. 2974 in the following ways:  On
page 2, strike lines 7-13 and substitute "(b) The Department of
Public Safety, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and each county
and municipality in this state shall cooperate with the department
in the implementation of this Act";  On page 2, line 21, strike
"committee described by Section 2(b) of this Act" and substitute
"department";  On page 2, line 26 strike "committee" and substitute
"department".

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 30, 1995 at 6:02 p.m.,
the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on
Wednesday, April 5, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment, in room
E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called to order at 6:30
p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander after the House
recessed.  The Chair laid out H.B. 2974 by Seidlits and recognized
Representative Edwards to explain H.B. 2974.  The Chair recognized
the following person who testified in support of H.B. 2974.  Jim
Atchley, United Transportation Union.  The Chair recognized the
following person who testified but was neutral on H.B. 2974. 
Bobbie Templeton, Texas Department of Transportation.  The Chair
left H.B. 2974 pending before the Committee.  Pursuant to a public
notice posed on April 13, 1995 at 4:14 p.m., the House Committee on
Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, April 19, 1995
at 2:00 p.m., or upon adjournment, in Room E1.014 of the Capitol
Extension and was called to order at 2:16 p.m. by the Chair,
Representative Clyde Alexander.  The Chair laid out H.B. 2974 by
Seidlits, which was pending before the Committee.  Representative
Bosse laid out Committee amendment #1 to H.B. 2974, and without
objection, Committee amendment #1 was adopted.  Representative
Edwards moved that the Committee report H.B. 2974, as amended, to
the full House with the recommendation that it do pass.  The motion
prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (7), Nayes (0), Absent (2),
Present not voting (0).