SRC-VRA H.B. 1653 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1653
78R11642 JRJ-DBy: Chavez (Lucio)
International Relations and Trade
5/13/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law (Section 201.612, Transportation Code), a political
subdivision or private entity that is authorized to construct a bridge
over the Rio Grande is required to obtain approval from the Texas
Transportation Commission before it may request approval from the federal
government.  Some aspects of the state approval process are very similar
to the federal requirements and some have argued that this creates
unnecessary duplication and causes delays.  H.B. 1653 allows an applicant
for bridge approval to apply concurrently with the state and federal
governments and requires an applicant to withdraw its federal application
if the state rejects the application. 

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 201.612, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (g), as follows: 

(a)  Requires a political subdivision or private entity authorized to
construct or finance the construction of a bridge over the Rio Grande to
obtain approval from the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) and from
the United States under Subchapter IV, Chapter 11, Title 33, United States
Code.  

(b)  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation to perform certain
tasks, including allowing an applicant to concurrently seek approval from
TTC and the United States. 

(g)  Requires the applicant, if TTC does not approve construction of the
bridge, to withdraw the request for approval from the United States. 

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