SRC-SEW S.B. 249 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 249
77R3135 MTB-DBy: Lucio
State Affairs
3/15/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) consists of
three members and provides policy direction regarding the state's
transportation needs.  However, increases in state transportation needs and
government responsibilities call for a larger and more versatile
commission.  An expanded commission would:  allow for a fuller range of
state interests to be represented; make the commission more accessible to
the public to discuss citizens' concerns, issues, and interests; allow the
commission members to specialize in areas such as strategic network needs,
technology applications, innovative finance, inter-modal connections, and
alternative modes; improve customer service; and allow for the
incorporation of a broader range of issues and considerations into the
policy development process.  As proposed, S.B. 249 increases the number of
members on the Texas Transportation Commission from three to seven.   

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 Sections 201.051 (a) and (b), Transportation Code, as
follows: 

(a) Requires the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) to consist of
seven (rather than three) members appointed by the governor with the advice
and consent of the senate. 

(b) Requires appointments to the commission to be made so that separate
members represent certain areas of Texas.  Deletes language requiring one
member to reside in a rural area.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 201.052, Transportation Code, to require members
of the commission to serve staggered six-year terms with the terms of
either two or three members (rather than one member's term) expiring
February 1 of each odd-numbered year. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 201.053(a), Transportation Code, to require the
governor, in designating one member of the commission as the commissioner
of transportation and thus presiding officer, to give priority to a member
representing a geographic area that has not previously been represented by
a commissioner. 

SECTION 4.  Notes repeal of Section 201.051 (e), Transportation Code
[repealed, Chapter 1171, Acts of the 75th Legislature, 1997]. 

SECTION 5.  Requires the governor to appoint four additional members to the
commission promptly after the passage of this Act: one to serve a term
expiring February 1, 2003, one to serve a term expiring February 1, 2005,
and two to serve terms expiring February 1, 2007. 

SECTION 6.  Makes application of this Act prospective.  Provides that this
Act does not prohibit a  person who is a member of the commission on the
effective date of this Act from being reappointed to the commission if the
person has the qualifications required for a member under Section 201.051,
Transportation Code, as amended by this Act. 

SECTION 7.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.