By Turner of Coleman H.B. No. 1471
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the emergency highway call box system.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 226, Transportation Code, is amended to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 CHAPTER 226. EMERGENCY HIGHWAY CALL BOX SYSTEM
1-7 Sec. 226.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "emergency
1-8 response services" means:
1-9 (1) fire-fighting, law enforcement, or emergency
1-10 medical services that are provided by a public agency; or
1-11 (2) motorist assistance services.
1-12 Sec. 226.002. APPLICABILITY; LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES.
1-13 This chapter does not:
1-14 (1) apply to a segment of a highway that the
1-15 commission has designated as a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market
1-16 road; or
1-17 (2) authorize the department to make an expenditure of
1-18 money for the implementation, operation, or maintenance of the
1-19 emergency telephone call box system under this chapter unless the
1-20 money was deposited to the credit [out] of the general revenue
1-21 [state highway] fund.
1-22 Sec. 226.003. INSTALLATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF
2-1 CALL BOX SYSTEM. (a) The department shall [may] provide for the
2-2 installment, operation, and maintenance of a system of emergency
2-3 telephone call boxes along those highways in this state that are
2-4 part of the designated state highway system.
2-5 (b) The system must [may]:
2-6 (1) be designed to enable users of those highways to
2-7 request emergency and nonemergency response services;
2-8 (2) include:
2-9 (A) wired or wireless telecommunications
2-10 services; and
2-11 (B) one or more motorist assistance answering
2-12 centers; and
2-13 (3) be capable of performing compatible Intelligent
2-14 Transportation System (ITS) functions.
2-15 (c) To minimize call processing loads in public safety
2-16 answering points established under Chapter 771 or 772, Health and
2-17 Safety Code, the department shall, to the extent practicable, [may]
2-18 contract with a private entity to perform the functions of a
2-19 motorist assistance answering center under Subsection (b)(2)(B).
2-20 Sec. 226.004. [FUNDING. The department may implement a call
2-21 box system under this chapter if a public or private entity
2-22 provides all direct and indirect costs necessary for the
2-23 installment, operation, and maintenance of the system.]
2-24 [Sec. 226.005.] LOCATION OF AND DISTANCE BETWEEN CALL BOXES.
2-25 The location of the emergency call boxes shall be determined by the
2-26 department in accordance with the design specifications of the
3-1 system.
3-2 Sec. 226.005 [226.006]. CONTRACTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND
3-3 INSTALLATION OF CALL BOX SYSTEM. (a) The department shall:
3-4 (1) [may] award one or more contracts to implement the
3-5 system not later than June 1, 2002;
3-6 (2) require that installation of the system begin not
3-7 later than September 1, 2002; and
3-8 (3) implement the system in each area of the state
3-9 that has cellular telephone coverage [a contract for the
3-10 installation, maintenance, or operation of a call box system in the
3-11 manner provided by Chapter 223].
3-12 (b) A contract awarded under this chapter shall be awarded
3-13 by the department in the manner provided by Chapter 223.
3-14 (c) The department may solicit proposals for and enter into
3-15 one or more lease-purchase agreements under this chapter.
3-16 Sec. 226.006 [226.007]. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION. (a)
3-17 The [Advisory] Commission on State Emergency Communications,
3-18 agencies of this state, and each county and municipality in this
3-19 state shall cooperate in the design, establishment, operation, and
3-20 maintenance of the emergency telephone call box system.
3-21 (b) Local governmental authorities shall support statewide
3-22 public relations efforts with local media.
3-23 Sec. 226.007. OVERSIGHT BY COMMISSION ON STATE EMERGENCY
3-24 COMMUNICATIONS. (a) The Commission on State Emergency
3-25 Communications shall:
3-26 (1) provide technical and management oversight to
4-1 support the proper routing of a call made to an emergency response
4-2 services provider from an emergency telephone call box and any
4-3 emergency response to that call; and
4-4 (2) coordinate the operation and maintenance of the
4-5 emergency response system through local councils of governments and
4-6 9-1-1 districts.
4-7 (b) If the commission establishes standards for system
4-8 performance, the standards must be applicable throughout the state.
4-9 Sec. 226.008. ANNUAL REPORTS. (a) Not later than November 1
4-10 of each year, the department shall file with the lieutenant
4-11 governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
4-12 Legislative Budget Board a report on the activities under this
4-13 chapter during the preceding fiscal year.
4-14 (b) The report may include the department's recommendations
4-15 for action by the legislature.
4-16 Sec. 226.009. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The emergency
4-17 telephone call box system and this chapter are subject to Chapter
4-18 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in
4-19 existence as provided by that chapter, this chapter expires on
4-20 September 1, 2011.
4-21 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.