April 8, 1998 House Committee on Transportation 75th Legislature April 7, 1998 10:30 a.m. Union Station, Pullman A (Dallas, TX) Pursuant to a notice posted on March 12, 1998, the House Committee on Transportation met in a joint public hearing with the Senate Interim Committee on Transportation and was called to order by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander at 10:38 a.m. The roll was answered as follows: Present: Representatives Alexander; Siebert; Hartnett; Hawley; Hill; Pickett (6). Absent: Representatives Edwards; Finnell; Uher (3). A quorum was present. Representative Elvira Reyna and Representative Carolyn Galloway were recognized by the chairman and were welcomed by the committee. Chairman Alexander listed the four charges the committee: April 8, 1998 Review all issues related to speed limits and highway safety. Study the system for funding county roads and bridges. Assess its adequacy and any measures that would improve the system. Study the effects of oversize and overweight trucks on roads and bridges, including the impact of NAFTA-related traffic. Conduct active oversight of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction, including the implementation of S.B. 370, 75th Legislature, and monitor issues affecting state highway funding. The chair recognized the following individuals to testify: Michael Morris, representing the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Partners in Mobility. Joe Paul Jones, representing the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Partners in Mobility. Jack Miller, representing the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Partners in Mobility. John Murphy, representing the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Partners in Mobility. Paul Wageman, representing the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Partners in Mobility. Jeff Moseley, representing the North American Super Highway Coalition. Norma Stanton, representing the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board as Chair. Roger Snoble, representing DART as President/Executive Director. Chris Poinsatte, representing DART as Chief Financial Officer. At 12:30 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was recessed until 1:30 p.m. The committee reconvened at 1:48 p.m. and was called to order by the chair, Representative Alexander. The roll was answered as follows: Present: Representatives Alexander; Siebert; Hartnett; Hawley; Hill; Pickett (6). Absent: Representatives Edwards; Finnell; Uher (3). A quorum was present. The following individuals were recognized to testify: Donald J. Barbour, representing Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. John Bartosowiecz, representing Fort Worth Transportation System. Gary Slagel, representing the City of Richardson. Don Dillard, representing Hunt Petroleum. (Representative Hill in chair.) James B. Reed, representing the National Conference of State Legislatures. Major E. C. Sherman, representing the Texas Department of Public Safety. Patty Sullivan, representing Rusk, Harrison, Panola, Upshur, and Nacogdoches counties. Stephen D. Broyles, representing the City of Muenster. Jim Allison, representing the County Judges and Commissioners Association. Betty Armstrong, representing the County Judges & Commissioners Association. James Hubbard, representing Wise County. Rick Chron, representing the Texas Towing and Storage Association. Stephen A. Smith, representing Walnut Hill Wrecker and the Texas Towing and Storage Association. Glenn Gadbois, representing Texas Bicycle Coalition. Irby Foster, representing People United for Safe Highways. W. J. "Bud" Melton, representing Texas Trails Network. Bill Lewis, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Robert Nichols, Texas Transportation Commissioner, representing the Texas Department of Transportation. The following individuals completed witness affirmation forms, but did not wish to testify: Tommy Davis, representing the Texas Department of Public Safety. Paul Wood, representing Wise County. James McCarley, representing the North Texas Tollway Authority. Jerry Martin, representing the Texas Railroad Commission. Bob Currie, representing the Texas Logging Council and the Texas Forestry Association. At 5:21 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair. ______________________ Rep. Clyde Alexander, Chair ______________________ Tom Tagliabue, Clerk