SRC-JXG H.B. 2647 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2647 By: Hartnett (Brown) State Affairs 5/14/1999 Engrossed DIGEST The Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) became a division of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in 1997 as a result of Sunset legislation. However, Chapter 402, Government Code, which authorized TTA to procure outside counsel, was not amended to reflect TTA's status as part of TxDOT. Failure to make such a modification created ambiguity regarding TTA's ability to continue to use outside counsel. TTA projects frequently require the use of attorneys with specialized expertise and local counsel familiar with county court personnel and procedures. H.B. 2647 would provide TTA with the same authority to use outside counsel that it had as an independent agency. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2647 prohibits Section 402.0212(c), Government Code, from applying to the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of Transportation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 402.0212(c), Government Code, to prohibit this section from applying to the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of Transportation. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.