HBA-LJP H.C.R. 75 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 75 By: Najera Transportation 4/26/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are policy advisory boards which are required under federal law as a condition of receipt of federal highway or transit funds. MPOs plan, program, and coordinate federal highway and transit investments in urban areas with a population of more than 50,000. MPOs along the U.S.-Mexico border can only plan throughout a 180-degree radius of their region and must coordinate their efforts with cities or states in Mexico. Relieving congestion from the high volume of commercial and passenger traffic at the border will require Texas and federal officials to cooperate with Mexican officials regarding the construction schedules and standards for bridges and highways, and procedures for the operation of border crossing facilities. Although some border MPOs provide notice to Mexican border cities relating to transportation projects, under federal law, membership on the MPO is limited to local elected officials, official of local public transportation agencies, and certain state officials. Including Mexican representatives on the technical advisory committees of MPOs in border areas would enhance the transportation planning process and facilitate the goals set out in federal law. House Concurrent Resolution 75 requests the Congress of the United States to amend federal law pertaining to membership on policy committees of MPOs and allow inclusion of persons representing another nation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Concurrent Resolution 75 requests the Congress of the United States to amend federal law pertaining to membership on policy committees of metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) and allow inclusion of persons representing another nation in order to enable MPOs along the border to work closely with their counterparts in Mexico.