SRC-MAX S.B. 1555 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1555
By: Ogden
State Affairs
4-28-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, only counties that have a population of 50,000 or more and
border the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet to the gulf; counties with a
populations of 1.5 million or more, or counties adjacent to counties with
populations of 1.5 million or more are authorized to issue bonds, without
state approval, supervision or regulation, to construct causeways,
bridges, tunnels, turnpikes, and highways.  In many instances, high-growth
counties do not have the opportunity to build roads because state funds
are not available.  This bill amends the population requirements for
certain counties under this section. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1555 amends the population requirement for counties and
local government corporations authorized to undertake certain causeway,
bridge, tunnel, turnpike, or highway projects.. 

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 284.002(a), Transportation Code, to provide that
this chapter only applies to a county that has a population of 500,000 or
more, rather than 1.5 million or more.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.