SRC-LBB S.B. 1939 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1939 By: Lindsay Infrastructure Development and Security 5/2/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) is considering expanding rail service throughout the region. During the 1980s, at least one referendum election was held in which voters established that 25 percent of Metro's sales tax revenues should be spent on road and bridge construction. As proposed, S.B. 1939 creates a subcommittee of the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority. This bill requires the subcommittee to designate road and bridge construction and improvement projects within the boundaries of the authority. 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 Subchapter B, Chapter 451, Transportation Code, by adding Section 451.073, as follows: Sec. 451.073. ROAD AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN AUTHORITIES. (a) Provides that this section applies only to an authority in a county with a population of three million or more. (b) Requires the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority board of directors to have a subcommittee composed of three members appointed under Subsection (c). Requires the subcommittee to designate road and bridge construction and improvement projects within the boundaries of the authority to be funded by the authority. (c) Requires the subcommittee to consist of certain members. (d) Requires the authority to use 25 percent of the revenue received from the sales tax imposed by the authority to fund construction and improvements to roads and bridges located within the boundaries of the authority. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.