BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 82

By: Nelson

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties have observed that authorities responsible for road construction should be more

responsive to the needs of public events being held near road construction sites. S.B. 82 seeks to remedy this situation by prohibiting the temporary closure of segments of the state highway system on days that certain scheduled events are being held under specified conditions.

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

S.B. 82 amends the Transportation Code to require a contract for an improvement to a segment of the state highway system to prohibit a contractor from temporarily closing the highway, including temporarily relocating or changing an entrance or exit ramp to or from the highway, on the date that an event is scheduled to be held in a municipality in which the improvement is being proposed if, not later than 180 days before the date the event is scheduled to be held, the municipality notifies the Texas Department of Transportation and the contractor of the date. The bill applies only to a municipality that is partially located in three counties, two of which have a population of 1.8 million or more; is primarily located in a county with a population of 1.8 million or more; and has within its boundaries all or part of an international airport operated jointly by two municipalities.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.