This website will be unavailable from Friday, April 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 3126

By: Lucio III

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

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. C.S.H.B. 3126 seeks to address these issues by increasing revenue sources for certain counties along the border so these counties can improve transportation infrastructure in applicable areas.

 

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. 3126 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county that borders the United Mexican States, has a population of more than 300,000 and less than 700,000, and in which the largest municipality has a population of less than 300,000 to increase from a maximum of $10 to a maximum of $20 the additional fee imposed by such a court for a vehicle registered in the county. The bill conditions this authorization on approval by a majority of the qualified voters of the county voting on the issue at a referendum election, which the commissioners court may order and hold for that purpose.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2013.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 3126 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1. Section 502.402(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may impose an additional fee[, not to exceed $10,] for a vehicle registered in the county. The fee may not exceed:

(1) $10 in a county described by Subsection (a) with a population of over 700,000; or

(2) $20 for any other county described by Subsection (a).

 

SECTION 1. Section 502.402, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may impose an additional fee[, not to exceed $10,] for a vehicle registered in the county. Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the fee may not exceed $10.

(b-1) The commissioners court of a county described by Subsection (a) with a population of less than 700,000 may 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 may order and hold for that purpose.

 

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

 

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.