SRC-MWN S.B. 267 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 267
77R3837 JD-FBy: Ogden
Natural Resources
2/2/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current statute only allows for the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) to contract with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for
the administration, control, or maintenance of any property it uses for the
mitigation of adverse environmental impacts resulting from state highway
construction or maintenance. But TPWD is not always able to take on the
management of new park territory. This bill allows TXDOT to contract with
federal agencies, city, and county governments, and non-profit entities to
manage property used for the mitigation of such adverse environmental
impacts. 

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 203.004, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 203.004. New heading: CONTRACTS FOR MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY USED FOR
MITIGATION OF ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. Authorizes the Texas
Department of Transportation (department) to contract with any public or
private entity, rather than the Parks and Wildlife Department, for the
management, rather than administration, control, or maintenance, of
property used, rather than acquired under Subchapter D, for the mitigation
of an adverse environmental impact directly resulting from the construction
or maintenance of a state highway. Defines "management." 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.