BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1092

By: Nichols

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the current method for the procurement of traffic control and safety devices through the comptroller of public accounts is inefficient and results in additional costs and delays due to the necessary revision of specific requirements relating to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). There have been calls for TxDOT to instead oversee the procurement of these devices through the competitive bidding process used for state highway projects. S.B. 1092 seeks to address this issue by requiring TxDOT to submit contracts for these devices for competitive bids.

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. 1092 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation to submit for competitive bids each contract for traffic control or safety devices to be used on a highway that is part of the state highway system.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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