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.