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 Notes repeal of Section 201.051 (e), Transportation Code [repealed, Chapter 1171, Acts of the 75th Legislature, 1997].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