HBA-DMH S.B. 907 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 907 By: Shapleigh Transportation 4/27/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, whenever one of the state's military bases deploys troops, the military uses the state's highways, roads, and infrastructure to move troops and equipment. Last legislative session, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) conducted a study of the deployment routes only for Fort Hood. The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, in its most recent interim report, recommended the completion of such a study for the entire state. Senate Bill 907 requires TXDOT to conduct a statewide study to identify and recommend the improvement of the deployment routes most often used by the military in Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 907 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to conduct a study of strategic deployment routes and other highways and intermodal facilities critical to the mission of the military. As part of its study, the bill requires TxDOT to meet with appropriate persons from military installations in this state to identify the strategic deployment routes and highways and intermodal facilities most often used by the military. The bill requires TxDOT to specifically study the conditions of these routes and highways and intermodal facilities and identify the highways and intermodal facilities that need further construction, expansion, or maintenance. The bill requires TxDOT to consider the costs necessary to accomplish the improvements and authorizes TxDOT to base a portion of the study on prior TxDOT studies that provide substantially accurate data and address a relevant or designated issue for study. The bill requires TxDOT to submit, not later than January 1, 2003, a written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives detailing the results of the study, including any recommendations for legislative action. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.