BILL ANALYSIS
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The 78th Legislature granted the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) the authority to adopt rules and implement procedures and forms as necessary or convenient to implement and administer Chapter 227, Transportation Code, pertaining to the Trans-Texas Corridor.
C.S.S.B. 718 amends Section 227.012, Transportation Code, by requiring that the Commission shall consider existing segments of the Texas Highway Trunk System, among other certain criteria, when selecting a route for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor. C.S.S.B. 718 also provides that if the Commission determines that the existing trunk system cannot be utilized for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor, then the Commission is required to file a written report of the determination and the reasons supporting the determination with all members of the legislature before the 11th day after the determination is made.
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
C.S.S.B 718 amends Section 227.012, Transportation Code, by adding an additional criterion for the Texas Transportation Commission to consider when selecting a route for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor. The additional criterion requires consideration of the existing segments of the Texas Highway Trunk System.
C.S.S.B. 718 also amends Section 227.012, Transportation Code, by requiring that, before the 11th day after making a determination that it is not possible to select a route for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor that lies on the Texas Highway Trunk System, the Texas Transportation Commission shall file a written report of that determination and the reasons supporting the determination with each member of the legislature.
C.S.S.B. 718 also provides that the 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, and that if the Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
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
The engrossed version requires the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission), to the extent possible, to select a route for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor that lies on the Texas Highway Trunk System. The substitute removes that requirement and instead states that the Commission shall also consider existing segments of the Texas Highway Trunk System when selecting a route for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor. The substitute makes conforming changes.