BILL ANALYSIS
By: Seaman
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Section 370.0311 of the Transportation Code currently allows the commission to authorize the creation of a regional mobility authority for the purposes of constructing, maintaining, and operating transportation projects in a region of this state. In addition, section 370.037(h) allows an authority to temporarily charge a toll for the use of a ferry. The purpose of HB 1741 is to allow certain municipalities the right to charge a permanent toll for the use of the ferry, as well as an additional fee for priority boarding of the ferry. The revenue generated from the resulting toll and fee will be allocated back to the regional mobility authority to use at its discretion.
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 1741 allows a municipality to create a regional mobility authority at its discretion. Under this bill, municipalities must have a population of 5,000 or less and have a ferry system that is under the jurisdiction of the state highway system. The municipality would have the same authority as any other governmental body to create and participate in a regional mobility authority. This bill also allows the authority to permanently charge a toll for the use of the ferry, as well as place a fee on priority use of ferry facilities. The priority boarding fee would be in addition to whatever undisclosed toll the authority would establish for the use of the ferry itself.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.