Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

8 bills that modify the Transportation Code

A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws

A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of 88th Legislature Laws

The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.

Blog Summary

SB 1260 - Keeping airports from entering contracts with entities connected to the government of the People's Republic of China.

SB 1364 - Adds electric vehicles, and permits a higher weight by 2,000 pounds.

SB 1413 - The fire department is now added to the authority and law enforcement agency for permissible removal of property from a roadway or right-of-way.

SB 1524 - Permits DOT to enter agreements to assist with road services for military installations.

SB 1869 - Provides a means of transferring property based upon the fair value.

SB 2200 - Donations may be acknowledged but they may not endorse the donor's business.

SB 2221 - Specialty plates where a portion of the issuance fee is used for grants.

SB 2601 - Adds nonprofit water and sewer utilities to those the state will pay for location.

8 bills that modify the Transportation Code

Published: 2024-07-10

SB 1260

Certain contracts regarding airports operated by or on behalf of the government

This applies to an airport infrastructure or equipment for the procurement of passenger boarding bridge. A local government or person operating the airport on behalf of the local government may not enter into an airport infrastructure or equipment contract with:

1. an entity that a federal court has determine has misappropriated intellectual property or trade secrets from another entity organized under federal, state or local law; and that is wholly or partly controlled by or receives subsidies from the government of the People's Republic of China;
2. any entity that owns, controls, is owned or controlled by, under common ownership with or is a successor to an entity described previously;
3. an entity that has entered an agreement with or accepting funding from the above

Any contract entered must contain language verifying that the above is not the case.

SB 1364

Weight limitations for certain natural gas or electric vehicles

This pertains to vehicles at the port of entry into Texas from Mexico. The Transportation Code is modified to permit a vehicle powered primarily by natural gas or electric battery to exceed the gross weight limitations for a vehicle by up to 2,000 pounds, as long as the maximum gross weight does not exceed 82,000 pounds.

SB 1413

Authority of a fire department to remove certain personal property from the roadway or right-of-way

This adds the fire department to the list of the entities permitted to remove personal property from a roadway or right-of-way if it is determined that the property blocks the roadway or endangers public safety. Previously it was an authority or law enforcement agency. The owner or carrier of the personal property shall reimburse the cost of removal and disposition of the property.

A political subdivision shall develop policy for the fire department, if it is run by the political subdivision, to consult with the law enforcement agency regarding the removal of personal property from a roadway or right-of-way.

SB 1524

Authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to provide department services on federal military property

It permits DOT to enter into agreements with the US Department of Defense or a federal entity to permit DOT to assist with the provisions of any department services, including road maintenance, improvement, relocation, or extension services for military installations.

SB 1869

Disposition of surplus real property no longer needed for state highway purposes

If the fair value of the real property is less than $100,000, then the commission may authorize a deed without a recommendation to the governor. If the fair value of the real property is $100,000 or more, then the commission shall advise the governor of the value; and the attorney general must approve a transfer or conveyance.

SB 2200

Public acknowledgement of donations made to the Texas Department of Transportation

The department may enter an agreement with a donor to publicly acknowledge their donations. However, the acknowledgement may not contain descriptions of the donor's products, services, facilities, or companies. And a donation to the roadside assistance and safety program must be acknowledged on a vehicle or equipment used for the program.

SB 2221

Issuance of specialty license plates to honor personnel of sheriff's offices

Specialty plates for the sheriff's offices must include the words 'Support your sheriff's office' and depict the sheriff's association of Texas logo. The department may deduct administrative costs from the fee for issuance, and the remainder is to be placed in an account created by the comptroller. The funds in this account may be used by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to make grants to nonprofits that have a history of promoting the following:

1. training of positions administered by the sheriff,
2. retention of positions administered by the sheriff,
3. professionalism of positions administered by the sheriff

The following include positions administered by the sheriff:

1. sheriff's deputies,
2. county jail employees,
3. emergency service center employees,
4. and other positions and offices administered by the sheriff

SB 2601

Payment of costs related to the relocation of certain utility facilities for state highway projects

Currently utility facilities that must move due to improvement of the state highway system are moved at the expense of the state if they are a political subdivision or owned/operated by a political subdivision under Chapter 67 of the Water Code. Newly added is a water supply or sewer service corporation under the Water Code, Chapter 67 (which are nonprofits). Also added are utilities that are a political subdivision or owned/operated by a political subdivision that have a population of under 5,000 and are in a county that has been included in at least 5 disaster declarations made by the US President in the preceding 6 year period. All others may be given a loan through the state infrastructure bank loan.

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.