HBA-MSH, EDN H.J.R. 55 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 55 By: Alexander Transportation 2/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, the Texas Constitution provides that the legislature may authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to expend money, from any source available, for the costs of turnpikes, toll roads, or toll bridges of the Texas Turnpike Authority, provided that any money expended out of the state highway fund are repaid to the fund from tolls or other turnpike revenue. Entities that construct toll facilities seek federal and state highway funds to leverage existing funds and complete the financing for high-cost facilities, but repayment obligations may make construction infeasible. House Joint Resolution 55 removes the requirement that funds expended for these purposes be repaid. 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 Joint Resolution 55 amends the Texas Constitution to remove the requirement that any money expended, granted, or loaned out of the state highway fund for the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or operation of turnpikes, toll roads, and toll bridges be repaid. FOR ELECTION This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.