AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Grand Parkway (State Highway 99) is the outer beltway around the Houston metropolitan area. The proposed project is in excess of 180 miles and traverses the seven-county region. This project will help relieve some of the congestion in the Houston area.
Planning for the Grand Parkway has been ongoing since the 1960s, but only two segments of the project currently exist. The counties along the Grand Parkway corridor, in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), entered into a market valuation agreement to develop the remaining portions of the project. This agreement requires revenue from completed segments to be committed to support the development of the remaining segments until the entire loop is completed. Under this agreement, each county would take the lead in developing the portions of the highway within its respective jurisdiction. If a county chooses not to complete its segment of the project, TxDOT could instead complete that part of the Grand Parkway.
This session, legislation has been introduced to authorize TxDOT to enter into a public private partnership for the Grand Parkway (S.B. 1007). This bill clarifies that if S.B. 1007 passes, the existing market valuation agreement is still valid.
As proposed, S.B. 1719 amends current law relating to certain comprehensive development agreements of the Texas Department of Transportation.
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 E, Chapter 223, Transportation Code, by adding Section 223.2012, as follows:
Sec. 223.2012. NO EFFECT ON DEPARTMENT OBLIGATIONS. Provides that any authority for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to enter into a comprehensive development agreement relating to improvements to Grand Parkway (State Highway 99) does not affect the obligation of TxDOT to comply with the applicable requirements of an agreement entered into under Section 228.0111 (Toll Projects of Local Toll Project Entities), in connection with the Grand Parkway project, including complying with the terms and conditions for the development, construction, and operation of the Grand Parkway that are prescribed in such an agreement.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.