Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB646 by Hughes (Relating to the participation of this state in the Southern High-Speed Rail Compact.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB646, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($140,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
The bill would allow the Governor to execute a compact with other states to study the feasibility of rapid rail transit service between certain states and to establish a joint interstate commission.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010
($70,000)
2011
($70,000)
2012
($70,000)
2013
($70,000)
2014
($70,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2010
($70,000)
2011
($70,000)
2012
($70,000)
2013
($70,000)
2014
($70,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would allow the Governor to execute a compact with other states to study the feasibility of rapid rail transit service between certain states and to establish a joint interstate commission, which would include seven members from Texas. The members would be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred while performing commission duties. The commission would be allowed to hold hearings, conduct surveys, make reports, acquire funding by various means, hold and dispose of funding, cooperate with public and private groups, adopt policies to present to the United States Congress, and exercise any other powers that may be appropriate.
Methodology
According to the Office of the Governor, the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission states that the annual operating budget cost per state is approximately $70,000.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.