BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1910

By: Hochberg

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The mix of toll and non-toll roads across the state, managed by a combination of state and regional entities, has created a set of problems for drivers of those roads.

Drivers find themselves on toll roads unintentionally because of poor signage on public highways that seamlessly transfer from non-toll to toll.  Additionally, some of these toll roads only allow electronic tag payment so that drivers end up with stiff administrative fines when driving through the toll-tag-only plaza without their registered electronic tag.  Even when a driver intends to get on the toll road, they find themselves saddled with higher toll charges than expected.  Drivers may be charged for toll violations when using their personal toll tag in borrowed or rented cars.

C.S.H.B. 1910 requires the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt a plan creating uniform standards for toll roads signs.

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

C.S.H.B. 1910 reenacts Chapter 371, Transportation Code, as added by Chapters 103 (H.B. 570) and 258 (S.B. 11), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, redesignating it as Chapter 372, Transportation Code, and amending it to require the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt a plan creating uniform standards for toll road signs which includes provisions for standard spacing, information, and design of the signs.  The bill defines "transponder" and makes conforming changes relating to the reenactment and redesignation described above.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1910 adds a provision not in the original to require the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt a plan creating uniform standards for toll road signs.  The substitute removes provisions in the original relating to toll project sign requirements, exceptions, limitations to offenses for failure to pay tolls, and the use of transponders.