SRC-JEC H.B. 1621 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1621 By: Coleman (Gallegos) Intergovernmental Relations 5/2/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Many Texans, including individuals who are elderly, disabled, or have low incomes, make use of public transportation regularly. H.B. 1621 requires metropolitan, regional, and county transit authorities to appoint board members who represent the transportation disadvantaged, and requires municipal transit departments to consider the interests of people with transportation disadvantages in their decisionmaking. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 451.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (9), to define "transportation disadvantaged." SECTION 2. Amends Section 451.502, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (g), to require the principal municipality to make its appointments to the board so that at least one of the appointees is designated to represent the interests of the transportation disadvantaged. SECTION 3. Amends Section 451.5021, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (h), to make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 452.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (15), to make conforming changes. SECTION 5. Amends Section 452.562, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (f), to make conforming changes. SECTION 6. Amends Section 452.574, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (c), to make conforming changes. SECTION 7. Amends Section 453.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (5), to make conforming changes. SECTION 8. Amends Chapter 453B, Transportation Code, by adding Section 453.061, as follows: Sec. 453.061. TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED. Requires the board of a transit department (board) to consider the interests of the transportation disadvantaged in making decisions under this subchapter. SECTION 9. Amends Section 457.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (f), to make conforming changes. SECTION 11. Provides that the changes in law made by this Act in the qualifications of certain board members of metropolitan rapid transit authorities, regional transportation authorities, and county mass transit authorities do not affect the entitlement of a member serving on an authority immediately before the effective date of this Act to continue to carry out the functions of the authority for the remainder of the member's term. Provides that the changes in law apply only to a member appointed on or after the effective date of this Act. Provides that this Act does not prohibit a person who is a member of a metropolitan rapid transit authority, a regional transportation authority, or a county mass transit authority on the effective date of this Act from being reappointed to the authority if the person has certain qualifications. SECTION 12. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.