HBA-TBM C.S.S.B. 224 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.S.B. 224
By: Shapleigh
Transportation
5/18/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

With the advent of NAFTA and the opening of Texas' southern border to
increased truck traffic, it is important that strong international
relations be forged at the state level.  C.S.S.B. 224 requires the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to initiate efforts to meet at least
semiannually with TxDOT's counterparts in those states of the United
Mexican States that border this state to discuss transportation and
infrastructure issues.   

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. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 224 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department
of Transportation (TxDOT) to initiate efforts to meet at least semiannually
with TxDOT's counterparts in those states of the United Mexican States that
border this state to discuss transportation and infrastructure issues.  The
bill requires TxDOT, to the extent practicable, to meet at least
semiannually with its counterparts in those bordering states to discuss
transportation and infrastructure issues.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.  

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.S.B. 224 differs from the original by requiring the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) rather than the Texas Transportation Commission to
initiate efforts to meet with TxDOT's counterparts in those states of the
United Mexican States that border this state.