BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1283

81R4622 TRH-F                                                                                                            By: Williams

Transportation & Homeland Security

3/27/2009

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, some rail districts cannot receive federal funds directly and must receive federal funds through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

As proposed, S.B. 1283 allows rail districts created under Chapter 171 (Freight Rail Districts), Transportation Code, and Articles 6550c-1 (Intermunicipal Commuter Rail Districts) and 6550c-3 (Commuter Rail Districts), V.T.C.S., to receive federal funds directly.

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 91.004 (c), Transportation Code, as follows:

(c) Provides that Subsection (b) does not apply to money appropriated or allocated for use by a district created under Chapter 171 (Freight Rail Districts); Article 6550c-1 V.T.C.S. (Intermunicipal Commuter Rail Districts); or Article 6550c-3, V.T.C.S. (Commuter Rail Districts).   Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective Date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.