SRC-JRN S.B. 950 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 950
By: Patterson
State Affairs
3-14-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, state law does not allow the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) to award grant funds to privately-owned airports, and recipients
of aviation funding grants are required to retain control of airport
facilities for at least 20 years.  The Routine Airport Maintenance
Program, designed to extend the life of airport improvements, encourages
airport operators to perform routine and preventative maintenance, which
may require a minimum local contribution of 50 percent.  This bill
provides certain measures of assistance for airports by encouraging
participation in the Routine Airport Maintenance Program, and allowing
TxDOT to administer federal aviation funds to privately owned reliever
airports. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 950 provides certain measures of assistance for airports
by encouraging participation in the routine airport maintenance program,
and allowing TxDOT to administer federal aviation funds to privately owned
reliever airports. 

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 21.105(b), Transportation Code, to require the
Texas Transportation Commission (commission) to require the airport or
facility to remain open to the public, except for a grant made for the
purpose of carrying out routine airport maintenance, rather than for
facilities to remain in the control of each political subdivision
involved.  Requires the commission to require the grant recipient, rather
than the political subdivision, to  disclose the source of all funds for
the project. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 21.114, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 21.114.  AGENT FOR FEDERAL FUNDS.  Provides that the Texas Department
of Transportation (department) is the agent of each person eligible for
federal grant funds, among other entities, for the purpose of receiving
funds to benefit a reliever or non-primary commercial service airport.
Deletes existing Subsection (b).  Makes nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 3. Amends Section 22.018, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 22.018. DESIGNATION OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AS AGENT IN
CONTRACTING AND SUPERVISING.  Authorizes a person eligible for federal
airport improvement grant funds to designate the department as its agent.
Authorizes the department in acting as the agent of a local government or
other person under this section, to make each contract in accordance with
the law.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 22.055, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 22.055. FEDERAL AND STATE AID; OTHER GRANTS AND LOANS.  Provides
that a local government or other person, including a public entity, may
utilize grants and loans for purposes stated in this chapter.  Requires
the chief financial officer of the grant or loan recipient, rather than
the local government, to deposit money in separately designated funds,
unless otherwise prescribed.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.