BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1276

By: Guillen

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that state transportation planners have missed opportunities to maximize the amount of federal funding for transportation projects in the state.  Cognizant of the new and continued sources of federal aid available for transportation projects and activities, C.S.H.B. 1276 is intended to improve state transportation planning processes and increase Texas' eligibility for additional federal funding.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in SECTION 4 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1276 amends the Transportation Code to require the statewide transportation plan prepared by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to include a component that evaluates future federal funding opportunities for all modes of transportation and identifies actions necessary to maximize the total amount of federal funds received in the future for transportation improvements in Texas. The bill requires TxDOT to work and plan with local transportation planning entities to maximize the amount of federal funding awarded for projects in Texas by identifying and pursuing projects that are eligible for federal grant programs, including the scenic byways program.

C.S.H.B. 1276 requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, by rule, to establish, implement, and administer the terms of the uniform program for hazardous materials transportation registration and permitting developed by the Alliance for Uniform Hazmat Transportation Procedures under federal law.  The bill makes a nonsubstantive change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1276 omits a provision included in the original requiring a report prepared by a peace officer who stops a motor vehicle for an alleged violation of a law or ordinance to include certain information about the race or ethnicity of each passenger in the motor vehicle.