SRC-HRD S.B. 566 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 566
By: Truan
International Relations, Trade & Technology
3-12-97
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

In the last 10 years, overland traffic in Texas has increased 190 percent.
Much of this growth is due to the implementation of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  In addition to increased traffic, there are
concerns about the entry into Texas of large numbers of Mexican trucks,
many of which do not adhere to U.S. trucking regulations, and their impact
on safety and road quality.  This bill would require the Department of
Transportation (department) to study the origin and destination of goods
transported over highways in this state, paying particular attention to
the increase in commercial traffic because of NAFTA.  In addition, S.B.
566 would require the department to identify highways that need to be
designated for construction, expansion, and maintenance because of the
increase in international trade.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 566 requires the Department of Transportation to conduct
a study on the origin and destination of goods transported over highways
in this state, paying particular attention to the increase in commercial
traffic because of the North American Free Trade Agreement. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to
conduct a study on the origin and destination of goods transported over
highways in this state.  Requires the department to specifically study the
increase in commercial traffic because of the North American Free Trade
Agreement and identify the highways that need to be designated for
construction, expansion, and maintenance because of the increase in
international trade.  Requires the department to consider the costs
necessary to accomplish the highway improvements.  Authorizes the
department to base a portion of this study on prior department studies if
these studies provide substantially accurate data and address a relevant
or designated issue for study in this bill.  Authorizes the department, in
order to reduce overall cost of this study, to enlist the services of
available university support to aid the department in its research, if it
so chooses.  Requires the department, not later than December 15, 1998, to
file a report with the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives detailing the results of the study.   

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends SECTION 1 to add provisions authorizing the department to base a
portion of this study on prior deparment studies and to enlist the
services of available university support.