MINUTES
SENATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Tuesday, April 7, 1998
10:30 am
Union Station, Pullman A, Dallas, Texas
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Committee on
Transportation was held on Tuesday, April 7, 1998 in Union
Station, Pullman A, Dallas, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kenneth Armbrister Senator Bill Ratliff
Senator David Cain Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Drew Nixon
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:40 am. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
none.
The Chair of the House Transportation Committee called the
House Committee to order at 10:42 am. The following members
were present:
Representatives Alexander, Chair, Galloway, Hartnett, Hawley,
Hill, Pickett, Reyna, and Siebert.
Senator Cain moved the minutes for March 19, 1998 be approved.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed.
The Chair recognized on behalf of the North Texas
Commission/Partners in Mobility; Mr. Michael Morris, MPO
Director; The Honorable Jack Miller, Denton Mayor; Mr. John
Murphy, Richardson Mayor Pro Tem; Mr. Joe Paul Jones,
Consulting Engineer; and Mr. Paul Wageman, Attorney. Four
members of the group spoke from written material. The written
material refers to a "cost of congestion" experienced in the
Dallas area.
Questions and comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Jeff Mosley, with Ms. Tiffany
Newsome, on behalf of the North American Superhighway
Coalition/I-35 Corridor Coalition. Written material was
submitted to the committee.
The Chair recognized Mr. Robert Snoble, Director of the Dallas
Area Transit (DART) and Ms. Norma Stanton, Chair of DART. A
general summary of DART's operations, and reference of the
1997 Annual Report were made.
The Chair recognized Mr. Chris Poinsatte, Chief Financial
Officer with DART. Mr Poinsatte responded to questions from
the members regarding the DART budget.
Questions and comments by the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Don Barbour with Bell Helicopter
Textron, Inc. Mr. Barbour summarized Bell's development of
vertical takeoff airplanes as well as the benefits of the
planes. Written testimony was submitted.
Questions and comments by the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. John Bartosowiecz with the Fort Worth
Transit System. Written testimony is attached.
Questions and comments by the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Gary Slagel, Mayor of Richardson.
Mr. Slagel's testimony centered around DART and Galatyn Park.
The Chair recognized Mr. James Reed, Program Director of
Transportation with the National Conference of State
Legislators. Mr. Reed spoke regarding traffic safety and
transportation finance.
Questions and comments by the members followed.
The Chair recognized Ms. Patty Sullivan, employee of Rusk
County Commissioners Court. Ms. Sullivan's testimony centered
around damage on county roads caused by overweight trucks, and
permit systems used by Rusk County. Written comments were
submitted.
Questions and comments by the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Stephen Broyles, City Administrator,
City of Meunster. Mr. Broyles submitted the attached
comments.
The Chair recognized Mr. Jim Allison, County Judges and
Commissioners Association with Betty Armstrong, Navarro County
Commissioner. Mr. Allison and Commissioner Armstrong's
testimony discussed the problem of counties struggling to
repair damage to county roads caused by overweight trucks and
begged for some form of relief.
Questions and comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Rick Chron with the Texas Towing and
Storage Association. Mr. Chron requested exemption for tow
trucks from overweight permits, and some flexibility on tandem
weights.
Questions and comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Glenn Gadbois, Texas Bicycle
Coalition and Trans Texas Alliance.
Comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Irby Foster, People United for Safe
Highways (PUSH). Mr. Foster testified about the safety
problems associated with TxDot turning off lights intended to
illuminate street signs on the highways.
Questions and comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Don Dillard, V.P. Real Estate Hunt
Petroleum. Mr. Dillard testified before the committee on the
DART system.
The Chair recognized Mr. E.C. Sherman, police officer with
the Texas Department of Public Safety to respond to questions
from the members.
The Chair recognized Mr. James Hubbard, Commissioner of Wise
County. Mr. Hubbard testified before the committee on
overweight trucks.
Questions and comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Bud Melton, Texas Trails Network.
Mr. Melton testified before the committee on bike safety.
Comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Bill Lewis representing Mothers
Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Mr. Lewis testified about the
problem of drunk driving in Texas.
Questions and comments from the members followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Robert Nichols, Texas Transportation
Commission. Mr. Nichols responded to Senator Fraser's
previous comments on overweight trucking problems. Mr.
Nichols reassured the committee that TxDot would be sure and
maintain awareness of the problem.
The following registered by did not wish to testify before the
committee:
Mr. Tommy Davis, Lt Colonel-Assistant Director with
DPS
Mr. Paul Word, County Commissioner for Wise County
Mr. James McCarley, Executive Director for the North
Texas Tollway Authority
Mr. Jerry Martin, Rail Division Director, Texas
Railroad Commission
Mr. Stephen A. Smith, Walnut Hill Wrecker and Texas
Towing & Storage Assoc.
Mr. Bob Currie, Texas Logging Council and the Texas
Forestry Assoc.
There being no further business to come before the committee,
at 5:15pm, the Chair moved the committee stand recessed
subject to the call of the Chair. There being no objection
the motion prevailed.
_______________________________
Senator Ken Armbrister, Chair
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Committee Clerk