LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 21, 2005

TO:	Honorable Mike Krusee, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2138 by Phillips (Relating to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation, and provision of toll facilities and a transit system by a regional mobility authority, and the transfer to a regional mobility authority of the toll facilities, transit system, and related assets of a regional tollway authority or transit provider or of certain counties; providing criminal penalties; authorizing a tax.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would allow a county or regional tollway authority to voluntarily convert to a regional mobility authority (RMA). It would also add transit to the permissible functions of an RMA. The bill would establish the procedures and requirements associated with converting to an RMA, including addressing sales and use taxing authority. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2005.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a tollway authority may require technical assistance from the agency to assist with the absorption of an existing transit agency into an RMA or other transit-related activities as requested. Current staff can provide this assistance.

Local Government Impact

It is assumed that an RMA would not seek to absorb a transit authority or transit responsibilities unless a positive fiscal outcome were anticipated. Likewise, it is assumed that a transit authority would not choose to convert to an RMA unless a positive outcome was anticipated.

Source Agencies:

601 Department of Transportation

LBB Staff:

JOB, SR, DLBa