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.