SRC-AMY S.B. 409 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 409 By: Lucio Infrastructure Development and Security 8/6/2003 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) consists of three members and provides policy direction regarding the state's transportation needs. However, increases in state transportation needs and government responsibilities call for a larger and more versatile TTC. An expanded commission would allow for a fuller range of state interests to be addressed, make TTC more accessible to the public, allow TTC members to specialize in specific technology areas, and improve customer service. S.B. 409 increases the number of TTC commissioners from three to five and specifies the duties of TTC commissioners. 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 201.003, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), as follows: (d) Provides that a reference in law to the commissioner of transportation means the chair of the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC). (e) Provides that a reference in law to a member of TTC means a commissioner. SECTION 2. Amends Section 201.051, Transportation Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (b) to increase the number of members on TTC from three to five and require the members to be appointed to reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of this state. SECTION 3. Amends Section 201.052, Transportation Code, to provide that either one or two TTC members' terms, rather than one member's term, will expire February 1 of each oddnumbered year. SECTION 4. Amends Section 201.053, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 201.053. New heading: CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. (a) Makes conforming changes. (b) Requires the chair to preside over TTC meetings, make rulings on motions and points of order, and determine the order of business; create subcommittees, appoint commissioners to subcommittees, and receive the reports of subcommittees to TTC as a whole; appoint a commissioner to act in the chair's absence; and serve as the departmental liaison with the governor and the Office of State-Federal Relations to maximize federal funding for transportation, rather than funding for highway, public transportation, and aviation purposes. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 5. Amends Section 201.054, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 201.054. COMMISSION MEETINGS. Requires TTC to hold regular meetings at least once a month and special meetings at the call of the chair, rather than at the call of the commissioner of transportation or as provided TTC rule. Requires the chair to oversee the preparation of an agenda for each meeting and ensure that a copy is provided to each commissioner at least seven days before the meeting. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 6. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.0545, as follows: Sec. 201.0545. RECOMMENDATIONS TO LEGISLATURE. (a) Requires TTC to consider ways in which the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operations may be improved and authorizes TTC to periodically report to the legislature concerning potential statutory changes that would improve the operation of TxDOT. (b) Requires the chair, on behalf of TTC, to report to certain elected officials on legislative recommendations adopted by TTC and relating to the operation of TxDOT. SECTION 7. Amends Section 201.057, Transportation Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 8. Amends Section 202.057(c), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 9. Requires the governor to promptly appoint two additional TTC members with one term designated to expire on February 1, 2007, and the other on February 1, 2009. SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 2003.