MINUTES SENATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION Tuesday, April 7, 1998 10:30 am Union Station, Pullman A, Dallas, Texas ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Committee on Transportation was held on Tuesday, April 7, 1998 in Union Station, Pullman A, Dallas, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Kenneth Armbrister Senator Bill Ratliff Senator David Cain Senator Carlos Truan Senator Troy Fraser Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Drew Nixon ***** The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:40 am. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted. The following members arrived after the roll was called: none. The Chair of the House Transportation Committee called the House Committee to order at 10:42 am. The following members were present: Representatives Alexander, Chair, Galloway, Hartnett, Hawley, Hill, Pickett, Reyna, and Siebert. Senator Cain moved the minutes for March 19, 1998 be approved. There being no objection, the motion prevailed. The Chair recognized on behalf of the North Texas Commission/Partners in Mobility; Mr. Michael Morris, MPO Director; The Honorable Jack Miller, Denton Mayor; Mr. John Murphy, Richardson Mayor Pro Tem; Mr. Joe Paul Jones, Consulting Engineer; and Mr. Paul Wageman, Attorney. Four members of the group spoke from written material. The written material refers to a "cost of congestion" experienced in the Dallas area. Questions and comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Jeff Mosley, with Ms. Tiffany Newsome, on behalf of the North American Superhighway Coalition/I-35 Corridor Coalition. Written material was submitted to the committee. The Chair recognized Mr. Robert Snoble, Director of the Dallas Area Transit (DART) and Ms. Norma Stanton, Chair of DART. A general summary of DART's operations, and reference of the 1997 Annual Report were made. The Chair recognized Mr. Chris Poinsatte, Chief Financial Officer with DART. Mr Poinsatte responded to questions from the members regarding the DART budget. Questions and comments by the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Don Barbour with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Mr. Barbour summarized Bell's development of vertical takeoff airplanes as well as the benefits of the planes. Written testimony was submitted. Questions and comments by the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. John Bartosowiecz with the Fort Worth Transit System. Written testimony is attached. Questions and comments by the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Gary Slagel, Mayor of Richardson. Mr. Slagel's testimony centered around DART and Galatyn Park. The Chair recognized Mr. James Reed, Program Director of Transportation with the National Conference of State Legislators. Mr. Reed spoke regarding traffic safety and transportation finance. Questions and comments by the members followed. The Chair recognized Ms. Patty Sullivan, employee of Rusk County Commissioners Court. Ms. Sullivan's testimony centered around damage on county roads caused by overweight trucks, and permit systems used by Rusk County. Written comments were submitted. Questions and comments by the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Stephen Broyles, City Administrator, City of Meunster. Mr. Broyles submitted the attached comments. The Chair recognized Mr. Jim Allison, County Judges and Commissioners Association with Betty Armstrong, Navarro County Commissioner. Mr. Allison and Commissioner Armstrong's testimony discussed the problem of counties struggling to repair damage to county roads caused by overweight trucks and begged for some form of relief. Questions and comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Rick Chron with the Texas Towing and Storage Association. Mr. Chron requested exemption for tow trucks from overweight permits, and some flexibility on tandem weights. Questions and comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Glenn Gadbois, Texas Bicycle Coalition and Trans Texas Alliance. Comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Irby Foster, People United for Safe Highways (PUSH). Mr. Foster testified about the safety problems associated with TxDot turning off lights intended to illuminate street signs on the highways. Questions and comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Don Dillard, V.P. Real Estate Hunt Petroleum. Mr. Dillard testified before the committee on the DART system. The Chair recognized Mr. E.C. Sherman, police officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety to respond to questions from the members. The Chair recognized Mr. James Hubbard, Commissioner of Wise County. Mr. Hubbard testified before the committee on overweight trucks. Questions and comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Bud Melton, Texas Trails Network. Mr. Melton testified before the committee on bike safety. Comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Bill Lewis representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Mr. Lewis testified about the problem of drunk driving in Texas. Questions and comments from the members followed. The Chair recognized Mr. Robert Nichols, Texas Transportation Commission. Mr. Nichols responded to Senator Fraser's previous comments on overweight trucking problems. Mr. Nichols reassured the committee that TxDot would be sure and maintain awareness of the problem. The following registered by did not wish to testify before the committee: Mr. Tommy Davis, Lt Colonel-Assistant Director with DPS Mr. Paul Word, County Commissioner for Wise County Mr. James McCarley, Executive Director for the North Texas Tollway Authority Mr. Jerry Martin, Rail Division Director, Texas Railroad Commission Mr. Stephen A. Smith, Walnut Hill Wrecker and Texas Towing & Storage Assoc. Mr. Bob Currie, Texas Logging Council and the Texas Forestry Assoc. There being no further business to come before the committee, at 5:15pm, the Chair moved the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. There being no objection the motion prevailed. _______________________________ Senator Ken Armbrister, Chair _______________________________ Committee Clerk