SRC-BWC S.B. 586 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 586 77R5931 JAT-DBy: Ogden State Affairs 2/15/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas leads the nation in traffic fatalities. In 1998, more than 3,500 people died on Texas roads resulting in an economic loss of nearly $9 billion. As proposed, S.B. 586 establishes a Transportation Safety Center (center) within the Texas Transportation Institute. The center will carry out a program of research, education, and technology transfer to support the state's role in improving the safety of the roadways in Texas. 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. Sets forth legislative findings. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 88, Education Code, by adding Subchapter J, as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY Sec. 88.801. DEFINITIONS. Defines "center" and "institute." Sec. 88.802. ESTABLISHMENT. Requires the Center for Transportation Safety (center), established as a component of the institute, to be administered in the same manner as other programs of the institute. Sec. 88.803. PROGRAMS. Requires the center to conduct programs of research, education, and technology transfer, which are authorized to include certain duties, to support the state's role in improving the safety of the roadways in this state. Sec. 88.804. CONTRACTS. Authorizes the center to enter into interagency contracts and agreements, and authorizes the center to contract with local, state, county, federal, and private entities for work under the center's programs. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.