H.B. 2051 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2051 By: Smith, Wayne Transportation Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, there are no time limits placed on the processing of driveway permits for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The time between applying for and the approval of a permit can range from six weeks to seven months. During this time span, builders wait and many lose money to the retention of needed professionals such as engineers and architects and the rental on construction equipment. HB 2051 would limit the amount of time TxDOT may review a permit application to 42 days upon receiving an application for a driveway permit. If the permit is not approved or denied, the application is approved. If the application is denied, TxDOT is then required to draft a letter to the applicant with references to the problems with the application. The builder must then resubmit the application with the problems addressed to TxDOT. TxDOT then has 30 days upon receiving the resubmitted application to approve or reject the application or it is automatically approved. 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. ANALYSIS HB 2051 amends Subchapter C, Chapter 203, Transportation Code by adding Section 203.035 to provide a timetable for the permitting of driveway permits by TxDOT. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and applies to an application for a permit submitted on or after that date.