BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3551

By: Burkett

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties call for studies to assess the implementation and effectiveness of sound mitigation barriers included in recently completed transportation and toll projects. H.B. 3551 seeks to address this issue by requiring the testing of these barriers not later than one year after project completion. 

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

H.B. 3551 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a toll project entity, not later than one year after TxDOT or the entity respectively completes a transportation project or a toll project that includes a sound barrier, to conduct a live sound study to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the sound barrier. The bill requires TxDOT or a toll project entity, as applicable, if the results of the study show that sound mitigation does not meet projected and modeled forecasts, to modify the existing sound barrier or construct a new sound barrier to meet the forecasts.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.