BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 650

                                                                                                                                          By: Krusee

                                                                                                                                     Transportation

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Section 201.301 (a) of the Texas Transportation Code requires that candidates for the position of Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation be "registered professional engineers, experienced and skilled in transportation planning, development, construction, and maintenance."  However, the requirement that the Texas Transportation Commission elect a registered professional engineer limits the pool of applicants, causing candidates who would otherwise be eligible, to be disqualified.  HB 650 deletes that requirement.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

Section 201.301(a) of the Texas Transportation Code is amended to omit the phrase "a registered professional engineer in this state and."  This allows the Texas Transportation Commission to consider candidates who are not registered professional engineers, or who are professional engineers licensed in another state.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.