BILL ANALYSIS
By: Howard
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
In 2003, Fort Bend County and other counties surrounding Harris County supported the passage of HB 2384, which expanded the Harris County authority to impose administrative sanctions against toll violators to include the surrounding counties. HB 2384 was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
During the same legislative session, Harris County supported passage of SB 1464, which clarified the administrative hearing procedures for collecting unpaid tolls in Harris County. The bill also included a provision that reflected an agreement between Harris County officials to impose an additional fee for failure to pay a toll and dedicated the revenue to a special fund under the control of the county’s district or county attorney. SB 1464 was also passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
The unforeseen result of the passage of both bills was to include the counties surrounding Harris County under the language dedicating the additional fund revenue and restricting its use. This dedicated fund was intended to be unique to Harris County and was not contemplated by the surrounding counties prior to passage. HB 1672 inserts the appropriate population bracket into the dedication provision making it applicable to Harris County only.
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 1672 would amend Section 284.2031(c), Transportation Code, by inserting a bracket to impose the dedication provision in counties with a population of 3.3 million or more.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.