BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties assert that additional funds are needed to build roads to connect residents to the numerous state and national toll roads currently under construction in border counties and to repair existing roads that lead to these toll roads. According to the parties, this need is compounded by the number of overweight and oversize commercial trucks coming from Mexico, which significantly contributes to the deterioration of these county roads. The parties contend that the current limit on vehicle registration fees does not provide sufficient money to contribute to these necessary transportation projects and that these counties should have the authority to impose additional fees to cover costs associated with constructing and maintaining these roads.
H.B. 3126 amends current law relating to the authorization by referendum election of an increase in optional fees imposed on vehicles registered in certain counties to fund transportation projects.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.402, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:
(b) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order to impose an additional fee for a vehicle registered in the county, rather than authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order to impose an additional fee, not to exceed $10, for a vehicle registered in the county. Prohibits the fee, except as provided by Subsection (b-1), from exceeding $10.
(b-1) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county described by Subsection (a) (relating to providing that Section 502.402 (Optional County Fee for Transportation Projects) applies only to a county that borders the United Mexican States, that has a population of more than 300,000, and in which the largest municipality has a population of less than 300,000) with a population of less than 700,000 to increase the additional fee to an amount that does not exceed $20 if approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the county voting on the issue at a referendum election, which the commissioners court is authorized to order and hold for that purpose.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2013.