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.