80th Texas Legislature - Regular Session
Austin Newsletter No. 11
TTC is the Roadway to No Way
************ACTION ALERT*************
It is time to turn the Tide on the Trans-Texas Corridor.
During the past several weeks, more than 2 dozen bills have been filed that relate to the Trans-Texas Corridor. The tide has definitely turned with both Senators and House members as to the direction of TxDOT and their plans for roadways in the state. This issue of the Austin Newsletter is dedicated to several Transportation bills relating to Texas Farm Bureau policy and the future of Texas Transportation Projects.
The Texas Legislature is taking action with legislation to reform the way Texas conducts business at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Texas Farm Bureau has taken a strong position against the Trans-Texas Corridor. In addition, private property rights have been a cornerstone of the organization. These bills address one or more of these issues.
Please Contact Your State Legislator to Support the following legislation.
Senator John Carona, chair of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, has filed SB 1210 relating to adequate compensation for landowners. The one-page piece of legislation prohibits the condemnation of land unless all factors affecting the market value of the land are considered.
SB 1210 also requires a condemning entity to notify state legislators of condemnation proceedings for a highway or other transportation project.
TFB supports the aforementioned language based on state policy Book Section 163, pg. 45, lines 39-44.
State Senator Robert Nichols filed a pair of bills aimed at public/private toll road contracts. SB 1267 places a two year moratorium on the privatization of toll roads. SB 1268 prohibits converting existing roads to toll roads.
SB 1267 also establishes a 24-month moratorium on the privatization of state toll roads or the sale of existing toll roads to private interests, including roads planned as part of the Trans-Texas Corridor. The bill also establishes a study group appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House to evaluate the long-term affect of privatizing toll roads.
TFB policy supports SB 1267.
(State Policy Book, pg. 66, Section 156, line 89)
Senator Carona filed SB 890 that “cleans up” several provisions passed last session. The legislation provides local input regarding roads which intersect the Trans-Texas Corridor. SB 890 requires TxDOT to connect significant farm-to-market and ranch-to-market roads. Input must also be sought from local county Commissioners.
TFB policy supports SB 890.
(State Policy Book, Section 155, pg. 64, lines 15-17)
Senator Steve Ogden has offered SB 718 that replaces the TTC with the Texas Trunk System. The Trunk system is a series of by-passes and loops to help congested areas of the state. The Trunk system was advocated by TX Dot in the late eighties and early '90s.
TFB policy supports SB 718.
(State Policy Book, Section 156, pg. 65, lines 43-45)
Senator Glenn Hegar has filed a diminished access bill. SB 1711 requires special commissioners in a condemnation proceeding to consider any diminished access to a landowner’s property due to a TxDOT road project in awarding compensation.
TFB supports the aforementioned language based on state policy Book Section 163, pg. 45, lines 39-44.