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.