BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1119

By: Hernandez

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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. C.S.H.B. 1119 seeks to address these issues.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 1119 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. The bill 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. The bill's provisions expire August 31, 2017.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1119 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter K, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 201.912 to read as follows: Sec. 201.912.  MILE MARKERS.  (a)  Department district engineers shall give priority to approved projects for the installation of mile markers on a bridge or overpass that is one half mile or longer in length. (b)  The department, in consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, shall assess the statewide need for the installation of mile markers, including the replacement of fallen or damaged mile markers, on bridges and overpasses that are one half mile or longer in length and on rural highways. (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b), "rural highway" means a segment of the state highway system that: (1)  has noncontrolled access; and (2)  is outside the corporate limits of a municipality. No equivalent provision. No equivalent provision.	SECTION 1.  No equivalent provision. (a)  The Texas Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, shall 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. No equivalent provision. (b)  Not later than January 1, 2017, the department shall 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)  This Act expires August 31, 2017.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.