BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 1512
By: Cain (Seidlits)
05-02-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Current law requires the driver of any vehicle approaching a
highway-railroad grade crossing to stop not less than 15 feet from
the nearest rail and not to proceed until he or she can do so
safely, as specified.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1512 implements an automated highway-railroad
grade crossing enforcement system demonstration project.

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. DEFINITIONS.  Defines "automated highway-railroad grade
crossing enforcement system," "automatic gate," "department,"
"grade crossing," and "public highway." 

SECTION 2. INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATED HIGHWAY-RAILROAD GRADE
CROSSING ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM.  (a)  Requires the Texas Department of
Transportation (department) to install and operate an automated
highway-railroad grade crossing enforcement system in conjunction
with no more than 10 automatic gates in this state.

     (b)  Requires the designated automatic gates to be selected by
     a committee that consists of one representative chosen by each
     of certain state agencies and one chosen by railroad companies
     operating in this state.
     
     (c)  Requires the department to pay costs associated with the
     demonstration project required by this Act from money
     appropriated to the department for the installation and
     maintenance of automatic gates on public highways in this
     state.
     
SECTION 3. TERM OF PROJECT.  Requires the department to conclude
the demonstration project required by this Act on August 31, 1997.

SECTION 4. REPORT.  (a)  Requires the committee described by
Section 2(b) of this Act, following the conclusion of the
demonstration project, to prepare a comprehensive report on the
results of the project and make recommendations regarding the
continued use of automated highway-railroad grade crossing
enforcement systems in this state.

     (b)  Requires the committee to deliver the report to the
     governor, the legislature, and the director of the Legislative
     Budget Board, before January 1, 1998.
     
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to a public notice announced from the House floor on May
2, 1995, in accordance with House Rules, the House Committee on
Transportation met in a formal meeting on the House Floor, at Desk
22, on Tuesday, May 2, 1995, and was called to order by the
Chairman, Representative Clyde Alexander at 12:00 p.m.  The Chair
laid out S.B. 1512, which is the companion document to H.B. 2974. 
Representative Alexander moved to report S.B. 1512, without
amendments, 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).