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.