AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority (DART) is in discussions with the City of Arlington regarding the possible operation of test express bus service to The University of Texas at Arlington.  Current law clearly allows cities within the counties in which DART has member cities to join DART but is unclear on the ability of cities beyond the county line to join. 

 

S.B. 1461 removes ambiguity in current law by allowing a municipality in a county adjoining a county in DART's authority to join DART.   

 

This statute also governs the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) and the change in law would also apply to The T.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1461 amends current law relating to the addition of certain municipalities to the territory of a regional transportation authority.

 

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 452.6025(c), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(c)  Authorizes a municipality that is not part of a regional transportation (authority), notwithstanding Section 452.606 (Executive Committee Approval of Annexation:  Effective Date), to be added to the territory of an authority on a date determined by the authority directors who serve as the governing body of the authority (executive committee) if:

 

(1)  any part of the municipality is located in a county in which the authority has territory; or

 

(2)  any part of the municipality is located in a county that is adjacent to a county in which the authority has territory, and by resolution adopted by the executive committee, the authority states its intention to provide transportation services to the municipality; and

 

(3)  the governing body of the municipality calls an election on the addition of the municipality to the territory of the authority and permits the voters to vote for or against the proposition.  Sets forth the required language of the proposition; and

 

(4)  a majority of the votes cast in the election favor the proposition.

 

Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage, or September 1, 2013.