SRC-JBJ S.B. 735 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 735
76R6911 TBy: Armbrister
Infrastructure
3/8/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employs a vehicle
maintenance and repair pilot project, and maintains a 25 percent goal for
outsourcing total equipment maintenance.  The pilot program for the
maintenance and repair of all TxDOT vehicles originated from a provision of
Sunset legislation enacted by the 75th Legislature.  The legislation
requires TxDOT to use a two-year pilot project to determine whether
contracting with a private entity would be cost-effective.  The results of
the pilot study indicate that outsourcing all TxDOT vehicle maintenance
would not be cost-effective, but the state may gain new efficiencies by
raising the outsourcing goal for equipment maintenance.  S.B. 735 repeals
Section 201.705, Transportation Code, relating to the vehicle maintenance
outsourcing pilot program, and raises the percentage of outsourcing to 35
percent. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 735 repeals Section 201.705, Transportation Code, and
requires the Texas Department of Transportation to raise the percentage of
contracts for vehicle maintenance and repair to 35 percent. 

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 201.704(b), Transportation Code, by requiring
the Texas Department of Transportation to spend for all contracts under
this section not less than 35 percent, rather than 25 percent, of the total
amount it spends for vehicle repair and maintenance in that year. 

SECTION 2.  Repealer:  Section 201.705, Transportation Code, (Pilot Project
on Vehicle Maintenance Outsourcing). 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.