SRC-SEW C.S.S.B. 249 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 249 77R9785 MTB-DBy: Lucio State Affairs 3/23/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) 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, C.S.S.B. 249 increases the number of members on the Texas Transportation Commission from three to five. 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 201.051, Transportation Code, to require the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) to consist of five (rather than three) members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. 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 one or two members (rather than one member's term) expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year. SECTION 3. Requires the governor to appoint two additional members to the commission promptly after the passage of this Act: one to serve a term expiring February 1, 2005, one to serve a term expiring February 1, 2007. Provides that, until all appointees have taken office a quorum of the commission is a majority of the number of members who are qualified. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 249, Section 201.051, Transportation Code, by providing that the Texas Transportation Commission consists of five, rather than seven as originally proposed, members. Omits text in original proposed Subsection (b) requiring appointments to the commission to be made so that separate members represent certain areas of Texas. Omits proposed deletion of language requiring one member to reside in a rural area. SECTION 2. No change. SECTION 3. Amends As Filed S.B. 249 by omitting text in original SECTION 3 regarding prioritizing appointments to the commission. Redesignates text from original SECTION 5 as SECTION 3 and amends the text by requiring the governor to appoint two additional members to the commission, rather than four, with one member's term expiring February 1, 2005, and one member's term expiring February 1, 2007. Provides that, until all appointees have taken office a quorum of the commission is a majority of the number of members who are qualified. SECTION 4. Omits original text regarding repealer. Redesignates text from original SECTION 7. No changes in text. Omits original proposed SECTION 6.