Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1577 by Anchia (Relating to the sunset review of regional tollway authorities.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The Sunset Advisory Commission reported the total estimated costs for a Sunset review of the North Texas Tollway Authority would be $279,025 for fiscal years (FY) 2012 and FY 2013. The provisions of the bill would require all costs incurred by the Sunset Advisory Commission for the Sunset review to be promptly reimbursed by the North Texas Tollway Authority, as determined by SAC.
The bill would amend Subchapter B, Chapter 366 of the Transportation Code to require a regional tollway authority to undergo to a Sunset review by the Sunset Advisory Commission (SAC), but would not abolish the authority. Under current statute, the provisions of the bill would apply only to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) located in Plano, Texas. The bill would require NTTA to promptly reimburse the Sunset Advisory Commission for all costs incurred by the Sunset review as determined by SAC.
According to the SAC, the costs for a review would be an estimated $204,709 in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and $74,316 in FY 2013. The costs would include salaries for three additional staff ($189,459) in FY 2012, including employee benefits ($41,282); salary for one additional staff ($74,316), including benefits ($16,193) in FY 2013; travel expenses ($15,000), and report production ($250) in FY 2012.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
The North Texas Tollway Authority reported the total internal audit budget is $912,639. The cost for the Sunset review would be an estimated total of $279,025 for FY 2012 and FY 2013 according to costs reported by SAC, resulting in a significant fiscal impact to NTTA.