SRC-AMY C.S.H.B. 157 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 157
By: Krusee (Ogden)
Infrastructure Development and Security
5/13/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a regional mobility authority (RMA) is authorized to construct,
maintain, and operate a regional turnpike project.  Counties, acting alone
or in conjunction with other counties, are authorized to create an RMA to
construct and operate turnpike projects. An RMA is designed to provide an
alternative way to address transportation needs in circumstances where
traditional sources of funding are not available.  C.S.H.B. 157 gives an
RMA the same powers and duties related to financing turnpike projects as
the Texas Transportation Commission and the Texas Department of
Transportation.  This bill also prohibits an RMA from constructing,
maintaining, or operating a transportation project that another
governmental entity has determined to be a project under certain chapters
of the Transportation Code or receiving or being paid revenues derived by
another government entity, without a written agreement. 

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 Section 361.003, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (m) and (n), as follows: 

(m) Provides that a regional mobility authority (RMA)  has the same powers
and duties that the Texas Transportation Commission and the Texas
Department of Transportation have under Subchapter E (Financing of
Turnpike Projects) relating to the financing of a turnpike project. 

(n) Prohibits an RMA from constructing, maintaining, or operating a
transportation project that another governmental entity has determined to
be a project under Chapters 541 (Definitions), 542 (General Provisions),
and 543 (Arrest and Prosecution of Violators), Subchapter O,
Transportation Code, unless the other governmental entity enters into a
written agreement with the RMA specifying the terms and conditions under
which the project is required to be undertaken, or receive or be paid
revenues derived by another government entity operating pursuant to
Chapters 541 (Definitions), 542 (General Provisions), and 543 (Arrest and
Prosecution of Violators), Subchapter O, Transportation Code, unless the
other governmental entity enters into a written agreement with the RMA
specifying the terms and conditions under which the revenues are required
to be received by or paid to the RMA. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.