BILL ANALYSIS
By: Raymond
Border & International Affairs
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Transporation Code §367.002 (3) authorizes a border city to construct a railroad toll bridge by defining a "toll bridge" as including property used for a road, street, or railroad. However the Transporation Code §364.002 (2) excludes the term railroad in its description of the authority for a county to construct a toll bridge. As such, cities along the border are authorized to construct a railroad toll bridge, but border counties lack similar authority.
C.S.H.B. 2600 amends the Transportation Code by defining "bridge," authorizing certain counties to construct a railroad toll bridge, and authorizing certain counties to enter into various types of agreements with private or governmental entities for the purpose of constructing and maintaining such a bridge.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 2600 amends the Transportation Code by defining the term "bridge" as including a bridge used by vehicles, pedestrians, railroads, or a combination of vehicles, pedestrians, or railroads. The bill authorizes a county to enter into various types of agreements with a private entity or other governmental entity in this state for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, maintaining, or operating a toll bridge.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
Comparison of Original to Substitute
C.S.H.B. 2600 differs from the original by adding private entities to the list of entities a county can enter into agreements with and lists the types of agreements a county is authorized to enter into. The substitute also differs from the original by modifying the effective date.