SRC-SEW H.B. 1912 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1912
By: Capelo (West)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Cities are becoming more aware of the need to provide citizens who have
mobility impairments with access improvements. The federal government has
further directed the attention of cities to access improvements through the
enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. One of the largest issues
facing cities in Texas is the question of accessibility of sidewalks and
streets. This involves not only adequate sidewalks, but very specifically
defined curb cuts at intersections. A number of cities across the state
have been cited for failure to provide adequate access. H.B. 1912
authorizes the governing body of a municipality to add a $1 fee per month
to each bill from a municipality-owned utility system which may only be
used by the municipality for construction and maintenance of street and
sidewalk accessibility improvements and accessible municipal park
maintenance and construction to achieve compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.  

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 402.001, Local Government Code, by adding
Subsections (e) and (f), as follows: 

(e)  Authorizes a municipality each year by ordinance to add a fee for a
period not exceeding one year to the utility bill issued by a municipally
owned utility system containing one or more utilities.  Sets forth
guidelines regarding the fee.  

(f)  Requires the municipality to deposit in a special account the fees
collected under Subsection (e).  Authorizes funds in the account to be used
only by the municipality to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.), in providing certain services.   
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.