C.S.H.B. 1773 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1773 By: Smith, Wayne Transportation Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE CSHB 1773 78(R)Junked vehicles, as defined by Section 683.072, Transportation Code, are vehicles that are detrimental to the safety and welfare of the public, tend to lower the value of private property, invite vandalism, create fire hazards, create a hazard to the health and safety of minors, and cause urban blight. Currently, local municipalities and counties do not have the authority to adopt ordinances to impose additional requirements regarding these junked vehicles. CSHB 1773 will allow local governments to adopt such ordinances and have situations with junked vehicles resolved. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Adds Section 683.0711 to Subchapter E, Chapter 683, Transportation Code, to grant municipalities and counties the authority to adopt ordinances to impose additional requirements regarding junked vehicles. SECTION 2. Sets effective date. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE CSHB 1773 is a Texas Legislative Council Draft that clarifies the language of SECTION 1 to allow for municipalities to adopt ordinances that provide for more inclusive definitions of junked vehicles. SECTION 2 of the original bill was removed due to unneeded language. SECTION 3, the effective date in the original, is relabeled SECTION 2 in the substitute. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.