SRC-MAX H.B. 2353 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2353
By: Finnell (Luna)
State Affairs
5-15-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, rural rail transportation districts (district), like most rural
governmental entities, usually have a small group of people who will agree
to serve on administrative boards.  There are concerns that the members of
these boards are unaware of the information and services that are
available to them through the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI).  This
bill amends the eligibility qualifications for an elected officer of the
state or a political subdivision who wishes to serve on the board of
directors of a railroad district and sets forth provisions regarding the
use of TTI in these districts.     

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2353 sets forth provisions regarding rural rail
transportation districts. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 4, Article 6550c, V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection
(g), as follows: 

(g)  Provides that an elected officer of the state or a political
subdivision of the state who is not prohibited by the Texas Constitution
from serving on the board is eligible to serve on the board of directors
of a rural railroad district (board).  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 3, Article 6550c, V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection
(f), to require the board of directors to provide notice to the Texas
Transportation Institute (TTI) of the creation of a rural rail
transportation district (district).  Requires TTI to make available to the
board a guide to the services and information that TTI provides.  Requires
TTI to provide the board of each existing district a guide to the services
and information that TTI provides.  

SECTION 3. Requires the Railroad Commission of Texas to inform the
commissioners court of each county of the county's ability to create a
district under Article 6550c, V.T.C.S.,  by a certain date.  Requires TTI
to provide the board of each existing district a guide to the services and
information that TTI provides by a certain date. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.