House Committee on Transportation 
         75th Legislature-Interim Committee Public Hearing 
         February 11, 1998 
         9:00 a.m.  
         Capitol Extension, E2.010 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted on January 12, 1998, the House  
         Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing and was  
         called to order by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander,  
         at 9:07 a.m. 
          
         The roll was answered as follows:   
          
         Present:  Representatives Alexander; Siebert; Hawley; Hill;  
                   Pickett; Uher (6). 
         Absent:   Representatives Edwards; Finnell; Hartnett (3). 
          
         A quorum was present. 
          
         The chair recognized Wes Heald, the new Executive Director of  
         the Texas Department of Transportation. Mr. Heald introduced  
         himself to the committee. 
          
         The chair reviewed the four interim committee charges to be  
         discussed today: 
          
                Review all issues related to speed limits and highway safety.  
          
               Study the system for funding county roads and bridges. Assess its adequacy and any measures  
              that would improve the system.  
          
               Study the effects of oversize and overweight trucks on roads and bridges, including the impact  
              of NAFTA-related traffic.  
          
               Conduct active oversight of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction, including  
              the implementation of S.B. 370, 75th Legislature, and monitor issues affecting state highway  
              funding.  
          
         The chair recognized Dr. Herbert Richardson, representing the Texas Transportation Institute, to testify  
         on the following interim charges: speed limits and oversize and overweight trucks. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Bob Templeton, representing the Texas Department of Transportation, to testify on  
         the following interim charge: speed limits. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Bill Lewis, representing the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, to testify on the  
         following interim charge: speed limits. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Major Lester Mills, representing the Texas Department of Public Safety, to testify  
         on the following interim charge: oversize and overweight trucks. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Bill Webb, representing the Texas Motor Transportation Association, to testify on  
         the following interim charge: oversize and overweight trucks. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Patty Sullivan, representing the Rusk County Commissioners Court, to testify on  
         the following interim charge: oversize and overweight trucks. Testimony was taken. 
  
         The chair recognized Robert Cuellar, representing the Texas Department of Transportation, to testify on  
         the following interim charge: oversize and overweight trucks. Testimony was taken. 
          
         (Representative Edwards now present.)   
          
         The chair recognized Bob Bass, representing the County Judges and Commissioners Association, to  
         testify on the following interim charge: county road and bridge funding. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Betty Armstrong, representing the County Judges and Commissioners Association,  
         to testify on the following interim charge: county road and bridge funding. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Robert Cuellar, representing the Texas Department of Transportation, to testify on  
         the following interim charge: county road and bridge funding. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Cassie Carlson Reed, representing the Texas Department of Transportation, to  
         testify on the following interim charge: implementation of Senate Bill 370. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Lawrence Olsen, representing the Texas Good Roads Association, to address the  
         committee. Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair announced that the next committee public hearing will be March 25, 1998, at 1:30 p.m. in  
         College Station, TX, at the George Bush Presidential Library Conference Center.  
          
         At 11:10 a.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the  
         call of the chair.   
          
         ______________________ 
         Rep. Clyde Alexander, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Tom Tagliabue, Clerk 
          
         _____________                                     _____________ 
         Chair's initials                                       Clerk's initials