HBA-MPA H.B. 2598 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2598
By: McReynolds
Transportation
4/4/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is responsible
for ensuring that highway improvement projects are in compliance with the
federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Under Article 9102,
V.T.C.S., the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) adopts
standards and specifications necessary to ensure that persons with
disabilities have access to certain public buildings and facilities.  The
standards of TxDOT's ADA review and those adopted by TDLR are very similar.
The review process is costly and time consuming.  Having TDLR review plans
and specifications already being reviewed by TxDOT is redundant.  H.B. 2598
requires TxDOT to review plans and specifications of highway projects to
ensure they meet state accessibility standards, thus eliminating the
redundant review. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1  Amends Section 5, Article 9102,V.T.C.S., by adding Subsection
(i), to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to review
plans and specifications for, and inspect the site of, each project, other
than a building, funded in whole or in part by TxDOT for compliance with
standards adopted by this article. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.