BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2314
81R8817 JAM-F By: Gattis (Ogden)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) contracting services were once offered to all general aviation and reliever airports. However, legal counsel for TxDOT has advised the aviation division of TxDOT that it is authorized to perform these services only for local governments, thereby excluding other airports in Texas that also receive federal funding. There are seven airports in Texas that are not owned by a local government but are eligible to receive federal grant funds.
H.B. 2314 includes an owner of an eligible airport among the entities that are authorized to designate TxDOT as its contracting agent for certain purposes.
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 22.018, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 22.018. DESIGNATION OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AS AGENT IN CONTRACTING AND SUPERVISING. (a) Authorizes a local government or an owner of an eligible airport to designate the Texas Department of Transportation as its agent in contracting for and supervising the planning, acquiring, constructing, improving, equipping, maintaining, or operating of an airport or air navigation facility.
(b)-(c) Makes conforming changes.
(d) Defines "eligible airport."
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.