BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3252
85R17649 AAF-F	By: Thompson, Senfronia (Taylor, Larry)
	Transportation
	5/18/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Informed observers report that traditional transportation revenue sources are in decline and explain that certain transportation authorities are seeking new sources of revenue to make projects more feasible and cost-effective. These observers note that financial incentives under certain federal and state laws have established public-private partnerships as a tool for leveraging funding and achieving savings. H.B. 3252 addresses this issue by providing for the applicability of provisions relating to public and private facilities and infrastructure to certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities and for certain contracting requirements.

H.B. 3252 amends the Government Code to exclude a metropolitan rapid transit authority in which the principal municipality has a population of 1.9 million or more from the exemption from statutory provisions relating to public and private facilities and infrastructure.

H.B. 3252 amends the Transportation Code to require such a metropolitan rapid transit authority, in procuring architectural, engineering, or design services, to incorporate the selection process defined for those services as provided by the Professional Services Procurement Act.

H.B. 3252 amends current law relating to certain contracting requirements for certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities.

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 2267.003, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 2267.003. APPLICABILITY. Provides that this chapter does not apply to:

(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;

(2) a transportation authority operating under Chapter 451 (Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authorities), 452 (Regional Transportation Authorities), 453 (Municipal Transit Departments), or 460 (Coordinated County Transportation Authorities), Transportation Code, other than a metropolitan rapid transit authority operating under Chapter 451, Transportation Code, in which the principal municipality has a population of 1.9 million or more, rather than a transportation authority created under Chapter 451, 452, 453, or 460, Transportation Code;

(3) and (4) makes no changes to these subdivisions.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 451, Transportation Code, by adding Section 451.114, as follows:

Sec. 451.114. CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: CERTAIN AUTHORITIES. Requires an authority in which the principal municipality has a population of 1.9 million or more, in procuring architectural, engineering, or design services, to incorporate the selection process for those services as provided by Section 2254.004 (Contract for Professional Services of Architect, Engineer, or Surveyor), Government Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.