Honorable Leticia Van de Putte, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1123 by Herrero (Relating to discount programs for certain veterans provided by toll project entities.), As Engrossed
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Section 372.053 (a), Transportation Code, to require a toll project entity to offer free or reduced tolls to vehicles registered with "Legion of Valor" military specialty license plates if the toll project entity opts to establish a discount program for electronic toll collection customers.
Pursuant to Section 372.053 (a), Transportation Code, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently allows vehicles that are actively registered with the State of Texas and displaying a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart, or Medal of Honor specialty license plate to use TxDOT toll roads free of charge. The bill would require TxDOT to offer free or reduced tolls to vehicles registered with Legion of Valor specialty plates. Based on the number of vehicles registered with Legion of Valor specialty plates, it is assumed the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant fiscal impact to the state.
Local Government Impact
The bill would require a local toll project entity (regional tollway authority, regional mobility authority, or county toll road authority) to offer free or discounted use of the entity's toll projects for vehicles registered with the applicable military specialty license plates if the entity opts to establish a discount program for electronic toll collection customers. Currently, the Harris County Toll Road Authority is the only local toll project entity offering such a program. It is assumed that toll project entities would choose to offer a free or discounted use of toll projects if sufficient resources are available or if it would not result in a significant revenue loss.