BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4026

By: Rogers

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised over rural emergency service providers' insufficient access to the equipment necessary to provide services and ensure the safety of personnel working on or near state highways. H.B. 4026 seeks to address these concerns by authorizing the Texas Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety to donate or sell at a discounted rate surplus traffic equipment and roadwork safety equipment to a political subdivision.

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. 4026 amends the Government Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to directly donate or sell at a discounted rate surplus traffic and roadwork safety equipment to a political subdivision of the state for purposes of ensuring the safety of emergency service personnel working on or near Texas highways. The bill requires DPS and TxDOT to donate or sell the surplus safety equipment in "as-is" condition and prohibits DPS or TxDOT from making any representations or warranties as to the condition or use of the donated or sold equipment. The bill requires revenue from any sale of the equipment to be deposited, as applicable, to the credit of DPS or TxDOT and restricts the appropriation of the revenue to the applicable department.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.