SRC-SEW H.B. 2616 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2616
77R2947 JAT-DBy: Solis, Jim (Lucio)
State Affairs
5/9/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Queen Isabella Causeway is the only route from mainland Texas to South
Padre Island. A second causeway has been proposed and funding proposals
were made which call for each causeway to include a toll facility. Tolling
both causeways would primarily impact those who commute to work to either
South Padre Island or from the island to the surrounding area of mainland
Texas. H.B. 2616 prohibits the Texas Transportation Commission from
converting to a turnpike project the Queen Isabella Causeway in Cameron
County.  

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 362.0041, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d), as follows: 
 
(a)  Provides that, except as provided in Subsection (d), if the Texas
Transportation Commission (commission) finds that the conversion of a
segment of the free state highway system to a toll facility is the most
feasible and economic means to accomplish necessary expansion improvements,
or extensions to the state highway system, that segment is authorized to be
converted by order of the commission to a turnpike project under Chapter
361. 
 
(d)  Prohibits the commission from converting the Queen Isabella Causeway
in Cameron County to a turnpike project. 


SECTION 2.  Amends Section 366.035, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (g), to make conforming changes.   
 
SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.