By Harris                                              S.B. No. 773
         77R5471 DWS-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the general power of the Texas Department of
 1-3     Transportation to contract.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 201.209 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 201.209.  AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. The department may
 1-8     contract with any public or private entity to carry out the
 1-9     department's powers, duties, and responsibilities.
1-10           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-11     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-12     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-13     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-14     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.