SRC-JJJ, JBJ S.B. 926 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 926 By: Wentworth Infrastructure 7/26/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, the Texas Turnpike Authority Division (TTA) of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is developing a turnpike system within the state. Sometimes TTA pools two or more projects located within a metropolitan planning organization, which increases the flexibility and financial resources to study and design turnpike projects. TTA must conduct a public hearing, obtain approval from the Texas Transportation Commission, and pool a project no more than once. The current guidelines could be amended to more efficiently develop a turnpike system within the state. Turnpike projects can extend beyond the boundaries of a single metropolitan planning organization and into adjacent TxDOT engineering districts. The once-pooled limitation restricts the financial benefits of pooling and undermines the ability of TxDOT to develop turnpike systems. S.B. 926 will enable TTA to pool within metropolitan boundaries or the engineering districts, and will remove the restriction on pooling a project only once. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 926 amends Section 361.331(a), Transportation Code, regarding pooling of turnpike projects. 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 361.331(a), Transportation Code, to authorize the Texas Turnpike Authority Division (TTA) of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to designate as a pooled turnpike authority project two or more turnpike projects that are wholly or partly located in the territory of two adjacent districts of TxDOT, after TTA conducts certain public hearings and received Texas Transportation Commission (commission) approval. Deletes text regarding obtaining a public hearing and approval of the commission. SECTION 2.Repealer: Section 361.331(d), Transportation Code (Pooled Turnpike Projects).