HBA-LJP H.C.R. 75 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 75
By: Najera
Transportation
4/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are policy advisory boards which
are required under federal law as a condition of receipt of federal highway
or transit funds.  MPOs plan, program, and coordinate federal highway and
transit investments in urban areas with a population of more than 50,000.
MPOs along the U.S.-Mexico border can only plan throughout a 180-degree
radius of their region and must coordinate their efforts with cities or
states in Mexico.  Relieving congestion from the high volume of commercial
and passenger traffic at the border will require Texas and federal
officials to cooperate with Mexican officials regarding the construction
schedules and standards for bridges and highways, and procedures for the
operation of border crossing facilities.  Although some border MPOs provide
notice to Mexican border cities relating to transportation projects, under
federal law, membership on the MPO is limited to local elected officials,
official of local public transportation agencies, and certain state
officials.  Including Mexican representatives on the technical advisory
committees of MPOs in border areas would enhance the transportation
planning process and facilitate the goals set out in federal law.  House
Concurrent Resolution 75 requests the Congress of the United States to
amend federal law pertaining to membership on policy committees of MPOs and
allow inclusion of persons representing another nation. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

House Concurrent Resolution 75 requests the Congress of the United States
to amend federal law pertaining to membership on policy committees of
metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) and allow inclusion of persons
representing another nation in order to enable MPOs along the border to
work closely with their counterparts in Mexico.