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.