LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 13, 2009

TO:
Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1910 by Hochberg (Relating to the operation of toll projects.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to require a toll project entity to display signs on a toll project or nontolled highway that is located immediately before the beginning of the imposition of a toll and would specify the information required to be displayed on the signs.

 

The bill would specify that it is an exception from any provision establishing an offense for the failure or refusal to pay a toll for the use of a toll project that only allows the payment of a toll through the use of a transponder if a person had not previously failed or refused to pay a toll during the previous 12 months or a shorter time period prescribed by a rule of the applicable toll project. The exception would not relieve the person of the liability for payment of the toll. The bill would prohibit a toll project entity from charging the person an administrative fee in an amount greater than $1 for the collection of the toll.

 

The bill would prohibit a toll project entity from penalizing a driver for using a transponder in or on a motor vehicle to which the transponder was not previously registered unless the vehicle is of a different toll classification.

Based on the analysis of the Texas Department of Transportation, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.


Local Government Impact

It is assumed a local tolling entity would incur costs for erecting signs as prescribed by the bill and could realize a revenue loss from the imposition of a limit on an administrative fee a local tolling entity may charge for the collection of a toll from a person who has failed or refused to pay a toll for use of the entity's toll project.


Source Agencies:
601 Department of Transportation
LBB Staff:
JOB, KJG, TG