AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Mile markers along the state highway system serve an important role in locating a motorist who is stranded, involved in a major accident, or requires other emergency services. However, many mile markers are subject to damage or destruction due to general wear and tear. This can make it difficult for emergency services personnel to locate a motorist on long stretches of highways where there are no discernible landmarks and on long bridges and overpasses.

 

Interested parties are concerned about the lack of an adequate formula that could be used by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to prioritize the replacement of damaged or missing mile markers, and they contend that TxDOT should assess the statewide need for such replacement and installation.

 

H.B. 1119 seeks to address these issues by instructing TxDOT, in consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, to study the statewide need for the replacement of fallen or damaged mile markers on interstate highways where mile markers are required to be installed under state or federal guidelines, and to report the result of the study and any recommendations to certain elected officials and members of the legislature.

 

H.B. 1119 amends current law relating to a study assessing the statewide need for the replacement of mile markers on certain highways.

 

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. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, to conduct a study assessing the statewide need for the replacement of fallen or damaged mile markers on interstate highways where mile markers are required to be installed under state or federal guidelines.

 

(b) Requires TxDOT, not later than January 1, 2017, to submit a report on the results of the study and any recommendations to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over transportation matters.

 

(c) Provides that this Act expires August 31, 2017.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.