By:  Krusee, Gattis, Mercer                                       H.B. No. 156



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the grant of the power of eminent domain to a regional 
mobility authority.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 361.003, Transportation Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (m) to read as follows:
	(m)  The governing body of a regional mobility authority has 
the same powers and duties that the commission and the department 
have under Subchapter D relating to the condemnation or purchase of 
real property, except that the governing body of the regional 
mobility authority may acquire real property by the exercise of the 
power of condemnation only if the real property is located in a 
county that is part of the regional mobility authority, or if the 
real property is not located within a county that is part of the 
regional mobility authority, the governing body of the regional 
mobility authority may acquire the real property by the exercise of 
the power of condemnation only with the approval of the county 
commissioners court of the county in which the real property is 
located.  Notwithstanding Section 361.135(a), the concurrence of 
the commission is not a prerequisite to the exercise of the power of 
condemnation by the governing body of the regional mobility 
authority.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.