BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2187

By: Nichols

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under certain circumstances, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) may provide aircraft transportation under the State Aircraft Pooling Act for state officers and employees who are traveling on official business. For instance, aircraft transportation may be provided under the act if the destination is not served by a commercial carrier or the aircraft transportation is the most cost-effective travel arrangement. There have been calls to expand the circumstances under which this transportation may be used by state officers and employees. S.B. 2187 seeks to address this issue by adding circumstances under which TxDOT may provide aircraft transportation to a destination under the act.

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. 2187 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to provide aircraft transportation to a destination under the State Aircraft Pooling Act in the following circumstances:

· the time required to use a commercial carrier interferes with passenger obligations; or

· a representative of the Department of Public Safety determines that security concerns for a passenger warrant the use of a state aircraft.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.