LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                          Austin, Texas

                           FISCAL NOTE
                       74th Regular Session

                          April 11, 1995



 TO:     Honorable Carlos Truan, Chair          IN RE:  Senate BillNo. 1633
         Committee on International Relations,          By: Truan
             Trade & Technology
         Senate
         Austin, Texas






FROM: John Keel, Director

In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No.
1633 (relating to the authority of a political subdivision or
private entity to construct or finance the construction of a
bridge to Mexico) this office has determined the following:

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions
of the bill.

The bill would require a political subdivision or private entity,
authorized to construct or to finance a bridge over part of the
Rio Grande that forms the border between Texas and the United
Mexican States, to obtain the Texas Transportation Commission's
approval for any new crossing prior to requesting approval from
the United States Secretary of State.

In addition, the bill would require the Commission to secure the
advice and recommendations of the Department of Public Safety,
Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Historical Commission,
Texas Department of Agriculture, Alcoholic Beverage Commission,
Texas Department of Commerce, and any other state agency the
Commission deems appropriate to determine the necessity for such
a bridge.

The bill would also require that prior to requesting approval of
the project, the political subdivision or private entity shall
conduct studies concerning the feasibility, location, and
economic and environmental impacts and provide the results of
such studies and any other information the Commission may require    




by rule for its consideration.
 

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The fiscal implication to units of local government cannot be
determined.


Source:   Department of Transportation
          LBB Staff: JK, ML, RR