SRC-AMY C.S.H.B. 3330 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 3330
78R16599 JRJ-DBy: Crownover (Estes)
Infrastructure Development and Security
5-22-2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law restricts logo reader boards, the blue signs on the
side of the highway that indicate the businesses at that exit, to areas
outside an urbanized area with a population of more than 50,000. It is
believed that these signs are instrumental in bringing travelers off the
highway into a community and impacting that community in a positive
economic manner.  H.B. 3330 expands the definition of "eligible highway"
to include a controlled-access highway located inside an urbanized area
with a population of 50,000 or more. 

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 391.001(2), Transportation Code, to redefine
"eligible highway" to include a controlled-access highway located inside
an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 391.091, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 391.091.  ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS.  (a) Creates this
subsection from existing text. 

(b) Requires a contract under this section to provide for the assessment
of fees to be paid to a contractor by a commercial establishment eligible
for display on the specific information logo sign and remittance to the
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) of at least 10 percent of the
fees collected by the contractor. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 391.0935, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (f) and (g), as follows: 

(c) Requires a major shopping area that has its name displayed on a major
shopping area guide sign to reimburse the Texas Transportation Commission
(TTC) for all costs associated with the composition, placement, erection,
and maintenance of the sign unless TTC has entered into a contract under
Subsection (f). 

(f) Authorizes TTC to contract with an individual, firm, group, or
association in this state to erect and maintain major shopping area guide
signs at appropriate locations along an eligible urban highway. 

(g) Requires a contract under this section to provide for the assessment
of fees to be paid to a contractor by a major shopping area and remittance
to TxDOT of at least 10 percent of the fees collected by the contractor. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 391.097(c), Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 5.  (a) Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
 
(b)  Makes application of the changes in law made to Sections 391.091,
391.0935, and 391.097(c), Transportation Code, by this Act, prospective.