Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2612 by Flynn (Relating to liability for damage to a county road.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 622 of the Transportation Code to provide that a motor vehicle operator or owner who causes damage to a county road or bridge is not limited by the weight exceptions, and would be liable to the county only for the actual damage caused by the operation of the vehicle in excess of the limitation.
Local Government Impact
There could be a negative fiscal impact to a county related to the limited liability by a motor vehicle operator or owner for damage to a county road; however, the amounts would vary depending on the amount of incidences and road or bridge repair costs incurred.
Denton County indicated that although there have been extensive oil and gas well drilling and servicing in Denton County during the last decade, the county has a very limited history of attempting to collect from the individuals or companies that cause damages to county roads for those activities. Tom Green County indicated that the county is anticipating a significant increase in oil and gas well drilling activity in the near future, but does not have plans to limit the weight on roads at this time. The counties added that provisions of the bill would not likely cause an increase or a decrease in the county's efforts to enforce the current liability and recoup expenses for repairs to county roads damaged by overweight vehicles; therefore, no fiscal impact is anticipated.