BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2612

By: Pickett

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that there are multiple toll roads around the state that could have their tolls removed if funding were in place to accelerate the payment schedule of debt service on bonds or make a complete lump-sum payment of debt service on bonds. H.B. 2612 seeks to have the Texas Department of Transportation prepare a report on this matter.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 2612 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to submit, not later than September 1, 2016, to the standing committee of the house of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over transportation matters a report that lists the amount of debt service on bonds issued for each toll project in Texas; identifies, based on criteria provided by the Texas Transportation Commission, bonds that would be appropriate for accelerated or complete lump-sum payment of debt service; and proposes a plan to eliminate all toll roads in Texas, except for tolls on roads constructed, operated, or maintained only with proceeds from the issuance of bonds by a toll project entity other than TxDOT, by methods including the accelerated or complete lump-sum payment of debt service on the identified bonds or a required commitment, as a condition on receipt of state financial assistance, by a toll project entity to eliminate toll collection on a project for which the financial assistance is provided.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.