Gov. Perry calls special session starting July 1

TxDOT renewal on agenda

Steve Hawley, Jun 25, 09.

Gov. Rick Perry has called a special session starting July 1 to address two transportation issues and the extension of five state agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), according to the Houston Chronicle.

The special session resulted largely from the failure of the TxDOT restructuring bill, without which TxDOT would cease operating on September 1, 2010, before the start of the next regular legislative session.

According to the governor’s official statement:

The special session will consider the following issues:· Legislation extending the existence of five state agencies that were subject to sunset review by the 81st Legislature that would otherwise be abolished without legislative action, and to change the review schedule for certain state agencies to balance the Sunset Advisory Commission’s workload. These agencies include the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Racing Commission, Office of Public Insurance Counsel and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation.

· Legislation allowing the Texas Department of Transportation to issue general obligation bonds, which have already been approved by voters, for highway improvement projects, and for the creation, administration, financing and use of a Texas Transportation Revolving Fund to provide financial assistance for transportation projects.

· Legislation extending the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation and a regional mobility authority to use comprehensive development agreements to design, finance, build and maintain transportation infrastructure.