BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 334

                                                                                                                                          By: Carona

                                                                                                 Transportation & Homeland Security

                                                                                                                                            8/14/2009

                                                                                                                                              Enrolled

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Article 46c-6 of Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes provides the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with the power to regulate air carriers and requires TxDOT to adopt rules providing for the safety of air carriers.  Under that article, an air carrier may not operate in the state unless the carrier has obtained a certificate of public convenience and necessity or a certificate of operating authority from TxDOT. 

 

Federal law preempts a state's economic regulation of air carriers.

 

S.B. 334 repeals the statute that grants authority to TxDOT to regulate air carriers. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Department of Transportation is rescinded in SECTION 1 of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Repealer:  Section 6 (General Powers and Duties of Commission), Chapter 344 (H.B. 309), Acts of the 49th Legislature, Regular Session, 1945 (Article 46c-6, V.T.C.S.). 

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2009.