SRC-ARR S.B. 193 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 193
76R3360 WP-DBy: Ogden
State Affairs
5/9/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law establishes a definition of  "economically
disadvantaged county" to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation
to adjust the minimum local matching funds requirement for those counties
who qualify for the designation. In order to qualify, a county must have a
below average per capita taxable property value, below average per capita
income, and an above average unemployment rate. S.B. 193 would authorize a
county to qualify for the designation if the county has a per capita
taxable property value that is less than one-half the average per capita
taxable property value of counties in the state.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 193 redefines the term "economically disadvantaged
county" for purposes of financing a highway project. 

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 222.053(a), Transportation Code, to redefine
"economically disadvantaged county" as a county that has a per capita
taxable property value that is less than one-half the average per capita
taxable property value of counties in the state. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Prohibits the Texas Transportation Commission from (commission)
expending more funds in any fiscal year of the 2000-2001 biennium to adjust
the minimum local matching funds requirement of economically disadvantaged
counties than what was expended for that purpose in fiscal year 1999.  

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act takes effect only if a specific
appropriation for the implementation of this Act is provided in H.B. 1
(General Appropriation Act), Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session,
1999. Provides that this Act has no effect, if no specific appropriation is
provided in H.B.1, the General Appropriations Act.  

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 2. 

Adds a new SECTION 2 to prohibit the commission from expending more funds
in any fiscal year of the 2000-2001 biennium to adjust the minimum local
matching funds requirement of economically disadvantaged counties than what
was expended for that purpose in fiscal year 1999.  


SECTION 3. 

Adds a new SECTION 3 to provide that this Act takes effect only if a
specific appropriation for  the implementation of this Act is provided in
H.B. 1 (General Appropriation Act), Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular
Session, 1999. Provides that this Act has no effect, if no specific
appropriation is provided in H.B.1, the General Appropriations Act.  

 Renumbers existing SECTIONS accordingly.