HBA-MPA H.B. 2598 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2598 By: McReynolds Transportation 4/4/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is responsible for ensuring that highway improvement projects are in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under Article 9102, V.T.C.S., the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) adopts standards and specifications necessary to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to certain public buildings and facilities. The standards of TxDOT's ADA review and those adopted by TDLR are very similar. The review process is costly and time consuming. Having TDLR review plans and specifications already being reviewed by TxDOT is redundant. H.B. 2598 requires TxDOT to review plans and specifications of highway projects to ensure they meet state accessibility standards, thus eliminating the redundant review. 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 Section 5, Article 9102,V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection (i), to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to review plans and specifications for, and inspect the site of, each project, other than a building, funded in whole or in part by TxDOT for compliance with standards adopted by this article. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.