BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1160

81R9006 GCB-F                                                                                                   By: Jackson, Mike

Transportation & Homeland Security

4/7/2009

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is concerned that current statute does not explicitly allow them to enter into an agreement with Harris County to use their infrastructure for any other purpose than transportation-related functions.  This bill allows TxDOT and Harris County to enter into a contract for use of TxDOT's infrastructure for projects that apply to the proposed ship channel security district (district).

As proposed, S.B. 1160 authorizes a district or Harris County to utilize existing state infrastructure to support the implementation of a security and communications system around the Houston Ship Channel.

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 68, Water Code, by adding Section 68.053, as follows:

Sec. 68.053.  USE OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPERTY FOR SHIP CHANNEL SECURITY.  (a)  Defines "department."

(b)  Provides that use of the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) facilities or property to serve a project aiding security in a ship channel security district (district) created under this chapter serves a transportation purpose.  Authorizes a district or a county whose commissioners court has created a district to enter into an agreement with TxDOT to provide for use of TxDOT's facilities or property to aid security in the district.

(c)  Authorizes a county that has entered into an agreement with TxDOT for use of TxDOT's fiber optic network for transportation purposes to use the fiber optic network to serve a project aiding security in a district created under this chapter in the same manner as other transportation purposes unless the agreement precludes the use of the fiber optic network for that purpose.

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