LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 17, 2013

TO:	Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2102 by Guillen (Relating to the authority of the governor to suspend requirements applicable to motor carriers during certain emergencies; authorizing a fee.), As Introduced

Because the timing and duration of a declared emergency or disaster is unknown, the fiscal implications of suspending motor carrier registration and permitting requirements cannot be estimated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to authorize the Governor, to the extent permitted by federal law, to suspend requirements applicable to motor carriers in response to an emergency or declared disaster if compliance with the requirements would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in providing emergency or disaster assistance to another state. The bill would authorize the Governor to suspend requirements related to the motor carrier registration, vehicle size and weight, and permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles. The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), during a major disaster as declared by the President of the United States, to issue a special permit to an overweight or oversize vehicle or load that will be used to deliver relief supplies. The bill would authorize the board of the DMV to establish the fee for the permit and require the fee to be deposited to the State Highway Fund (Fund 6). The bill would authorize the DMV to collect a highway maintenance fee or a vehicle supervision fee authorized under current law to a person who holds a permit to deliver relief supplies.

 

Because the timing and duration of a declared emergency or disaster is unknown, the fiscal implications of suspending motor carrier registration and permitting requirements cannot be estimated. According to the Comptroller's 2012 Annual Cash Report, total revenues of $145.6 million from special vehicle permit fees were deposited to the General Revenue Fund and Fund 6 in fiscal year 2012. This analysis assumes that any loss of revenue from the suspension of special vehicle permits during an emergency or disaster would be offset by a revenue gain from the issuance of the new special permit for oversize/overweight vehicles transporting relief supplies. Based on the information provided by the Office of the Governor and the DMV, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

Portions of permit fees for oversize/overweight vehicles are distributed to the counties for deposit to County Road and Bridge Funds as required under current law. The provisions of the bill could result in an indeterminate revenue loss to the counties if the applicable permit requirements are suspended during a declared emergency or disaster.

Source Agencies:

301 Office of the Governor, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 608 Department of Motor Vehicles

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, MW, TG