BILL ANALYSIS
By: Krusee
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The transportation improvement program is the process by which metropolitan planning organizations around the state list the transportation projects planned for a three year period. Those projects are rolled-up together with all the planned rural projects to create the statewide transportation improvement program (STIP).
Although the STIP is required by federal law to be fiscally constrained (i.e. include only those projects for which there is funding), there is currently no requirement that TxDOT list in the STIP or anywhere else those projects that are viewed as potential toll projects.
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
HB 962 adds a new §36.902 to the Transportation Code. This section requires that when producing the STIP, TxDOT must indicate which projects included in the STIP are viewed as toll eligible or toll feasible. This indication by TxDOT in the STIP will make aware the public, the affected areas and all interested parties that TxDOT is considering certain projects for tolling. This allows all stakeholders at the earliest point possible to begin the process of evaluating the noted facilities as a tolled projects. This improves the process by which the funding and development of new facilities is examined and ultimately determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.