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.