BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1720

By: Blanco

International Relations & Economic Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that traffic congestion at international ports of entry results in delays that negatively affect the state economy and the everyday lives of Texans. There have been calls to employ the use of emerging motor vehicle technologies, which interested parties suggest could help combat these delays and support the continued growth of the state economy. C.S.H.B. 1720 seeks to address this issue by providing for a study on the impacts of these technologies. 

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. 1720 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) jointly to conduct a study on:

· the potential benefits of using automated driving systems and connected driving systems, as defined by the bill, in alleviating motor vehicle traffic congestion at ports of entry between Texas and the United Mexican States; and

· the overall impact of using automated driving systems and connected driving systems on the transportation industry workforce, including the effects on driver and public safety.

C.S.H.B. 1720 requires TxDOT and DPS, not later than January 1, 2020, jointly to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislature a report on the results of the study. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1720 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute includes as an additional topic of the required study the overall impact of using automated driving systems and connected driving systems on the transportation industry workforce, including the effects on driver and public safety.