BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4539

By: Cain

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Some Harris County residents have expressed concern that some portions of State Highway 146 and State Highway 99 may be tolled in the future. C.S.H.B. 4539 seeks to allow Texans to move freely on these roadways by prohibiting the imposition of tolls on certain portions of State Highway 146 and State Highway 99.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4539 amends the Transportation Code to prohibit the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from charging a toll, either directly or indirectly through an agreement with another entity, on the portion of State Highway 146 that crosses the Houston Ship Channel or on the portion of State Highway 99 between its intersection with State Highway 146 and its crossing of Cedar Bayou.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 4539 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The original prohibited TxDOT from charging a toll on a segment of State Highway 146 that is located within Harris County between State Highway 225 and State Highway 146 and contains the Fred Hartman Bridge, whereas the substitute prohibits TxDOT from charging a toll on the portion of State Highway 146 that crosses the Houston Ship Channel or on the portion of State Highway 99 between its intersection with State Highway 146 and its crossing of Cedar Bayou.