SRC-BWC S.B. 907 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 907 By: Shapleigh Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 6/12/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, whenever one of the state's military bases has to deploy troops, the military uses the state's highways, roads, and infrastructure for the movement of troops and equipment. Last legislative session, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) did a study of the deployment routes for Fort Hood, but not for the rest of the state. S.B. 907 requires TXDOT to do a state-wide study that looks at the deployment routes of every military base in the state. In particular, S.B. 907 orders TXDOT to study the conditions of the highway used for deployment, identify which highways need construction, expansion, or maintenance, and evaluate the cost of such improvements. S.B. 907 is intended to guarantee the satisfactory condition of the state's highways, in particular those used by the military for deployment, in order for the military to complete its deployment mission. If it is determined that the highways are poor condition, TXDOT will have the data, including cost, for making the necessary improvements. 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. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to conduct a study of strategic deployment routes and other highways and intermodal facilities critical to the mission of the military in this state and meet with appropriate persons from military installations in this state and representatives of affected municipalities and counties to identify the strategic deployment routes and highways and intermodal facilities most often used by the military or that may be need for future missions. Requires the department 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. Requires the department to consider the costs necessary to accomplish the improvements and authorizes the department to base a portion of this study on prior department studies that provide substantially accurate data and address a relevant or designated issue for study in this Act. (b) Requires the department, not later than January 1, 2003, to submit a written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives detailing the results of the study required by this Act, including any recommendations for legislative action. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.