78R5709 JRJ-D

By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 661



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the definition of a highway emergency for purposes of 
expedited contracting.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 223.101(1), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
		(1)  "Highway emergency" means a situation or condition 
of a designated state highway that:
			(A)  poses an imminent threat to life or property 
of the traveling public [travelers]; [or]
			(B)  substantially disrupts the orderly flow of 
traffic and commerce; or
			(C)  the commission declares a safety emergency 
based on criteria established by rules adopted by the commission 
that take into consideration accident data, traffic volume, 
pavement geometry, or other conditions that create or exacerbate a 
hazard to the safety of the traveling public.
	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.