TWT H.B. 970 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
H.B. 970
By: McClendon
4-5-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

Presently, state law, Article 6675d, Revised Statutes, provide a
municipality with the ability to establish a non-radioactive hazardous
material route, however, there is not a statute that mandates a
municipality to create such a route.  

PURPOSE

The purpose of this bill is to require a municipality with a population of
more than 750,000 to develop a route for commercial motor vehicles
carrying hazardous materials in the municipality. Requires the Texas
Department of Public Safety (DPS) to approve the route. 

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.  Amends Section 7, Article 6675d, Revised Statutes, by adding
Subsection (f) which requires municipality with a population of more than
750,000 to develop a route for commercial motor vehicles carrying
hazardous materials on a road or highway in the municipality.  The city
must submit the route to the DPS for approval.  If the DPS rules the route
complies with all applicable federal and state regulations regarding the
transportation of hazardous materials, the route will be approved and the
city and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) will be notified.  
 
SECTION 2.  Emergency Clause. Effective upon passage.



COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1. The substitute replaces the word "plan" with "route". The
substitute also deletes language from the original which required the city
and the TXDOT to post signs designating the roads and highways in the city
that can be used to transport hazardous materials.