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.