HBA-ALS H.B. 1681 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1681 By: Uher Transportation 3/17/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under federal law, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is required to inventory, inspect, and appraise all bridges located on public roads. Failure to comply with these federal regulations may result in loss of federal highway funding. Reviewing a bridge's structural design plan is often necessary in order for TxDOT to conduct an accurate inspection and appraisal. H.B.1681 requires a governmental entity to submit the structural design plans for all newly constructed or rehabilitated public bridges to TxDOT to use in complying with federal law. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter J, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.804, as follows: Sec. 201.804. SUBMISSION OF BRIDGE DESIGN PLANS TO DEPARTMENT. (a) Provides that this section applies to a governmental entity that is authorized to construct or maintain a public road and that either constructs or rehabilitates a bridge, proposes to assume responsibility for a bridge that is constructed or rehabilitated by another person, or issues a permit for the construction or rehabilitation of a bridge by another person. (b) Requires the governmental entity to submit the structural design plans for the bridge and any required supporting documents to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) before the 31st day after construction or rehabilitation is completed. (c) Requires TxDOT to use the information submitted under Subsection (b) to comply with 23 C.F.R. Part 650, Subpart C (National Bridge Inspection). SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.