SRC-BWC S.B. 1251 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1251
77R5671 JD-DBy: Gallegos
State Affairs
5/10/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas emergency call box program (program) was initiated in 1993 in
five roadway sections in four counties.  The program consists of a system
of emergency telephone call boxes which are designed to enable users of
certain state highways to request emergency and nonemergency response
services. Currently, the program is prohibited from receiving state highway
funds for its operation or maintenance.  Therefore, the program relies upon
public and private entities to pay all direct or indirect costs.  As
proposed, S.B. 1251 replaces the Texas emergency call box program with a
system of automatic location identification telephone call boxes
administered by the Commission on State Emergency Communications. 

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 226, Transportation Code, as follows:

CHAPTER 226.  AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM

 Sec. 226.001.  DEFINITION.  Defines "emergency response services."  

Sec. 226.002.  New heading:  INSTALLATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF
AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.  Authorizes the Texas Department
of Transportation (department) to provide for the operation, maintenance,
and installation, rather than installment, of a system of automatic
location identification, rather than emergency, telephone call boxes along
those highways in this state that are part of the designated state highway
system.  Requires a system implemented by the department to begin along
rural interstate highways, including rest stops and roadside parks.
Authorizes a system implemented by the department to be designed to enable
users of those highways to communicate with providers of, rather than
request, emergency and nonemergency response services.   

Sec. 226.003.  New heading:  DISTANCE BETWEEN AUTOMATIC LOCATION
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM CALL BOXES.  Prohibits the distance between two
automatic location identification system call boxes from exceeding two
miles, except as prohibited by roadway conditions or where 24-hour
communication service exists.  Deletes text regarding the implementation of
a call box system and the location of and distance between call boxes. 

Sec. 226.004.  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM COMMISSION ON STATE EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS.  Requires the Commission on State Emergency Communications
(commission), on request of the department, to provide technical assistance
to  the department, including things necessary to support the proper
routing of a call made to an emergency response services provider from an
automatic location identification call box and any emergency response to
that call.  Deletes text regarding the awarding of a contract and the
solicitation of proposals by the department.   

Sec. 226.005.  INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION.  Requires the commission,
rather than advisory commission, agencies of this state, and each county
and municipality in this state to cooperate in the design, establishment,
operation, and maintenance of an automatic location identification, rather
than the emergency telephone call box, system implemented by the
department.   

Sec. 226.006.  CONTRACTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC
LOCATION IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.  Requires the department, if the department
elects to implement the system, to attempt to award one or more contracts
to implement the system not later than June 1, 2002, and require that
installation of the system begin not later than September 1, 2002.
Requires a contract awarded under this chapter to be awarded by the
department in the manner provided by Chapter 223.  Authorizes the
department to solicit proposals for and enter into one or more
lease-purchase agreements under this chapter.   

Sec. 226.007.  ANNUAL REPORTS.  Requires the department, not later than
November 1 of each year, to file with the lieutenant governor, the speaker
of the house of representatives, and the Legislative Budget Board a report
on the activities under this chapter during the preceding fiscal year.
Authorizes the report to include the department's recommendations for
action by the legislature. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.