BILL ANALYSIS
By: Krusee
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, a need exists for a state general aviation airport in Central Texas. Current law only allows the Department of Transportation to utilize federal matching funds, federal grants, in-kind contributions, private sector funds, nonprofit grants, and local government funding for the establishment of this facility. However, the Department of Transportation maintains a fund appropriated for aviation services, whose monies cannot currently be used for the purpose of establishing a Central Texas airport. CSHB 2656 adds language to allow the Department of Transportation to use these funds.
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 1 amends Section 21.069 (a) of the Transportation Code to delete a reference to the State Aircraft Pooling Board, which no longer exists. The section also amends Section 21.069 (e) to add "department funds appropriated for aviation services." This allows the Department of Transportation to utilize funds from the agency's aviation fund to establish an airport in the Central Texas region.
Section 2 specifies the effective date of this act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
CSHB 2656 is a legislative council draft of HB 2656. This draft makes no substantial changes except the deletion of language stated in the original but to which no change was made.