SRC-JBJ S.B. 1154 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1154
77R7248 DWS-DBy: Shapleigh
State Affairs
3/22/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, The Texas Department of Transportation (department) lays out
authority for future projects in the Unified Transportation Program (UTP).
The department planning documents identify specific projects as part of an
overall funding level.  The dollar amounts approved for the projects are
generally based on federal apportionments anticipated to become available
in the future.  The projects listed in the UTP do not include projects that
may be funded due to receipt of federal money related to the National
Corridor Planning and Development and Coordinate Border Infrastructure
Program in the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century.  This money
is awarded annually on a discretionary basis by the Unites States
Department of Transportation.  As proposed, S.B. 1154 requires the
department to make available on its Internet website a list describing each
contract awarded by the Texas Transportation Commission for a highway
construction project. 

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.  Amends Chapter 223A, Transportation Code, by adding Section
223.0042, as follows: 

Sec. 223.0042.  CONTRACT INFORMATION ON INTERNET WEBSITE.  Requires the
Texas Department of Transportation (department) to make available on the
departments's Internet website a listing describing each contract awarded
by the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) for a highway
construction project. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.