BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 1605

By: Martinez, "Mando"

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties contend that the Texas Airport Directory, which is printed to provide aeronautical information for public airports in Texas, includes vital airport information relating to car rentals, lodging, restaurants, and fixed-base operators as well as improved airport diagrams. However, according to these parties, only a relatively small number of copies, representing but a fraction of the total number of directories printed, have been sold in recent years, with the remainder having been disposed of through complimentary distribution to federal agencies. The parties argue that removing the fee for the directory will promote greater public awareness as well as greater safety with regard to general aviation in Texas. C.S.H.B. 1605 seeks to address this issue.

 

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. 1605 repeals Transportation Code provisions establishing the Texas aviation operating account in the state highway fund and requiring the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to deposit all money received from the sale of advertising in the Texas Airport Directory to the credit of the account. The bill amends the Transportation Code to remove the requirement that TxDOT charge a minimum fee of $5 for the directory and to instead prohibit TxDOT from charging a fee for furnishing the directory. The bill establishes that TxDOT is not required to issue more than 110 percent of the number of Texas Airport Directories issued in the preceding state fiscal year.

 

C.S.H.B. 1605 repeals Section 21.004, Transportation Code.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2015.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 1605 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.  Section 21.067, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 21.067.  TEXAS AIRPORT DIRECTORY.  (a)  The department may:

(1)  issue the Texas Airport Directory;

(2)  sell advertising in the directory; and

(3)  advertise the [sale of the] directory in other publications.

(b)  The department may not [shall] charge a fee [not less than $5] for furnishing the Texas Airport Directory.

 

SECTION 1.  Section 21.067, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 21.067.  TEXAS AIRPORT DIRECTORY.  (a)  The department may:

(1)  issue the Texas Airport Directory;

(2)  sell advertising in the directory; and

(3)  advertise the [sale of the] directory in other publications.

(b)  The department may not [shall] charge a fee [not less than $5] for furnishing the Texas Airport Directory.

(c)  The department is not required to issue more than 110 percent of the number of Texas Airport Directories issued in the preceding state fiscal year.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 21.004, Transportation Code, is repealed.

 

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.

 

 

SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

 

SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.