BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                       C.S.S.B. 893

                                                                                                                                        By: Zaffirini

                                                                                                           Border & International Affairs

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The Transporation Code 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 Transportation Code 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.S.B. 893 amends the Transportation Code by defining "bridge," and authorizing a county to enter into a lease or various types of agreements with a private or governmental entity 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.S.B. 893 amends the Transportation Code by defining the term "bridge", for the purposes of this Act, as including a bridge used by vehicles, pedestrians, or railroads, or a combination of vehicles, pedestrians, or railroads.  The bill sets forth provisions authorizing a county to enter into an agreement with a private or governmental entity in this state for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, maintaining, or operating a toll bridge.  The bill also sets forth provisions, in connection with or in support of an agreement entered into under this Act, authorizing a county to enter into a lease or an agreement with a private or governmental entity.

 

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 substitute differs from the original in that it is a document prepared by the Texas Legislative Council.  The substitute also differs in that it deletes language wherein the definition and provisions of this Act did not apply to a county with a population of more than 675,000.