HBA-SEP S.C.R. 6 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.C.R. 6
By: Fraser
Transportation
4/27/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The U.S. military's Defense Planning Guide 1999-2003 mandates that the
deployment of forces from Fort Hood, the home of the III Armored Corps, to
any crisis theater must be completed within 30 days.  While Interstate 35
has long served as the major deployment route for Fort Hood, the III
Armored Corps have identified State Highway 195 (SH 195) as the premier
southern convoy route to the strategic ports of Corpus Christi and
Beaumont.  However, the area along the two-lane SH 195 has experienced
considerable growth in population and an increase in traffic which has
resulted in a decreased level of service for and safety of its military and
civilian users.  In addition, projections indicate that the capacity of
SH195 will be exceeded within the next 5 to 10 years.  The U.S. Department
of Defense has determined that the expansion of SH 195 is of strategic
importance and necessary for the deployment of forces from Fort Hood.  In
April 1999 the Texas Department of Transportation began Phase I, a six-mile
segment of the SH 195 reconstruction project which will expand SH 195 to a
four-lane divided highway that extends from south of Killeen to Interstate
35.  Subsequent phases of the 10-year, $100 million project need to be
completed to enable the III Armored Corps to deploy troops and equipment
from Fort Hood to the ports in the required time frame.  Senate Concurrent
Resolution 6 encourages the Texas Transportation Commission to support the
expansion of SH 195 to ensure its use by the III Armored Corps as the
southern convoy route to Texas' ports. 

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

Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 encourages the Texas Transportation
Commission (commission) to support the expansion of State Highway 195 to
ensure its use by the III Armored Corps as the southern convoy route to
Texas' ports.