By Gallegos S.B. No. 1251
77R5671 JD-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the automatic location identification system along
1-3 state highways.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 226, Transportation Code, is amended to
1-6 read as follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 226. AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION
1-8 [EMERGENCY HIGHWAY CALL BOX] SYSTEM
1-9 Sec. 226.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "emergency
1-10 response services" means:
1-11 (1) fire-fighting, law enforcement, or emergency
1-12 medical services that are provided by a public agency; or
1-13 (2) motorist assistance services.
1-14 Sec. 226.002. [APPLICABILITY; LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES.
1-15 This chapter does not:]
1-16 [(1) apply to a segment of a highway that the
1-17 commission has designated as a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market
1-18 road; or]
1-19 [(2) authorize the department to make an expenditure
1-20 of money for the implementation, operation, or maintenance of the
1-21 emergency telephone call box system out of the state highway fund.]
1-22 [Sec. 226.003.] INSTALLATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF
1-23 AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION [CALL BOX] SYSTEM. (a) The
1-24 department may provide for the installation [installment],
2-1 operation, and maintenance of a system of automatic location
2-2 identification [emergency] telephone call boxes along those
2-3 highways in this state that are part of the designated state
2-4 highway system. A system implemented by the department must begin
2-5 along rural interstate highways, including rest stops and roadside
2-6 parks.
2-7 (b) A [The] system implemented by the department may:
2-8 (1) be designed to enable users of those highways to
2-9 communicate with providers of [request] emergency and nonemergency
2-10 response services;
2-11 (2) include:
2-12 (A) wired or wireless telecommunications
2-13 services; and
2-14 (B) one or more motorist assistance answering
2-15 centers; and
2-16 (3) be capable of performing compatible Intelligent
2-17 Transportation System (ITS) functions.
2-18 (c) To minimize call processing loads in public safety
2-19 answering points established under Chapter 771 or 772, Health and
2-20 Safety Code, the department may contract with a private entity to
2-21 perform the functions of a motorist assistance answering center
2-22 under Subsection (b)(2)(B).
2-23 Sec. 226.003 [226.004]. DISTANCE BETWEEN AUTOMATIC LOCATION
2-24 IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM CALL BOXES [FUNDING]. If the department
2-25 implements the system, the distance between two automatic location
2-26 identification system call boxes may not exceed two miles, except
2-27 as prohibited by roadway conditions or where 24-hour communication
3-1 service exists [The department may implement a call box system
3-2 under this chapter if a public or private entity provides all
3-3 direct and indirect costs necessary for the installment, operation,
3-4 and maintenance of the system.]
3-5 [Sec. 226.005. LOCATION OF AND DISTANCE BETWEEN CALL BOXES.
3-6 The location of the emergency call boxes shall be determined by the
3-7 department in accordance with the design specifications of the
3-8 system].
3-9 Sec. 226.004 [226.006]. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM COMMISSION
3-10 ON STATE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS [CONTRACTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND
3-11 INSTALLATION]. On request of the department, the Commission on
3-12 State Emergency Communications shall provide technical assistance
3-13 to the department, including things necessary to support the proper
3-14 routing of a call made to an emergency response services provider
3-15 from an automatic location identification call box and any
3-16 emergency response to that call [(a) The department may award a
3-17 contract for the installation, maintenance, or operation of a call
3-18 box system in the manner provided by Chapter 223].
3-19 [(b) The department may solicit proposals for and enter into
3-20 one or more lease-purchase agreements under this chapter.]
3-21 Sec. 226.005 [226.007]. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION. The
3-22 [Advisory] Commission on State Emergency Communications, agencies
3-23 of this state, and each county and municipality in this state shall
3-24 cooperate in the design, establishment, operation, and maintenance
3-25 of an automatic location identification [the emergency telephone
3-26 call box] system implemented by the department.
3-27 Sec. 226.006. CONTRACTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND INSTALLATION
4-1 OF AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM. (a) If the department
4-2 elects to implement the system, the department shall attempt to:
4-3 (1) award one or more contracts to implement the
4-4 system not later than June 1, 2002; and
4-5 (2) require that installation of the system begin not
4-6 later than September 1, 2002.
4-7 (b) A contract awarded under this chapter shall be awarded
4-8 by the department in the manner provided by Chapter 223.
4-9 (c) The department may solicit proposals for and enter into
4-10 one or more lease-purchase agreements under this chapter.
4-11 Sec. 226.007. ANNUAL REPORTS. (a) Not later than November 1
4-12 of each year, the department shall file with the lieutenant
4-13 governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
4-14 Legislative Budget Board a report on the activities under this
4-15 chapter during the preceding fiscal year.
4-16 (b) The report may include the department's recommendations
4-17 for action by the legislature.
4-18 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.