BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                              C.S.H.B. 1986

                                                                                                                       By: Solomons (Nelson)

                                                                                                 Transportation & Homeland Security

                                                                                                                                            5/19/2005

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Enacted by the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, H.B. 3323 authorized the creation of a coordinated county transportation authority by a county adjacent to a county with a population of one million or more.  Denton County has formed such an authority to assist in the regional provision of mass transportation and transportation-related options.  C.S.H.B. 1986 provides express statutory authorization for a coordinated county transit authority to enter into a contractual agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to provide enforcement on high occupancy vehicle lanes. 

 

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 Section 224.153(b), Transportation Code, to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into an agreement with a coordinated county transportation authority under Chapter 460 (Coordinated County Transportation Authorities). 

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 460.054, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (d), to authorize a county judge to fill a vacancy in a position described by Subsection (b)(3) by naming a person nominated under Subsection (c) for the unexpired term.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 460.105(a), Transportation Code, to authorize an authority to acquire, construct, develop, plan, own, operate, maintain, or manage a public transportation system or project not located in the territory of the authority if the system or project provides a service, benefit, or convenience to the people in the territory of the authority.  

 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 460.201(c), Transportation Code, to provide that except as provided by Section 460.2015, a vacancy on the board of directors, rather than executive committee, is filled in the same manner as the original appointment to the interim executive committee.

 

SECTION 5.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 460, Transportation Code, by adding Section 460.2015 as follows:

 

Sec. 460.2015.  MEMBERSHIP OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  (a)  Authorizes the board of directors of an authority (board) confirmed under Subchapter B to increase the population amount stated by Section 460.054(b)(1) in increments of up to 5,000.  Provides that if the board increases that population amount, the board is required to also increase each population amount stated by Sections 460.054(b)(3) and 460.054(c) by the same amount.

 

(b)  Authorizes the board to act under Subsection (a) only once a year.

 

(c)  Authorizes a municipality that has appointed a member to the board under Section 460.054(b)(1) before the effective date of an increase under Subsection (a) to continue to appoint a member to the board.

 

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 460.405(a), Transportation Code, to prohibit federal funds and appropriated state funds from being spent by or on behalf of an authority to influence or affect the award or outcome of a state or federal contract, loan, or cooperative agreement, rather than to prohibit an employee, agent or person receiving compensation from or on behalf of an authority from attempting to affect the outcome of proposed legislation.

 

SECTION 7.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.