BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 714

By: Kuempel

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties express concern that Department of Public Safety (DPS) weigh stations in many smaller counties are operated only a few hours each month. The parties support authorizing a county to jointly operate a weigh station to ensure that the state's highways are kept safe. H.B. 714 responds to this support by proposing new provisions relating to an agreement between a county and DPS for the joint operation of certain fixed-site facilities.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 714 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a county and the Department of Public Safety to enter into an agreement for the joint operation of a fixed-site facility located within the boundaries of the county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.