By: Pickett, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hall) H.B. No. 2612

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2015; May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation; May 14, 2015, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 14, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a report to the legislature regarding the elimination of toll roads.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Not later than September 1, 2016, the Texas Department of Transportation shall submit to each standing committee of the senate and house of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over transportation matters a report that:

(1) lists the amount of debt service on bonds issued for each toll project in this state;

(2) 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

(3) proposes a plan to eliminate all toll roads in this state, except for tolls on roads constructed, operated, or maintained only with proceeds from the issuance of bonds by a toll project entity other than the department, by methods including:

(A) the accelerated or complete lump-sum payment of debt service on bonds identified under Subdivision (1); or

(B) requiring, as a condition on receipt of state financial assistance, a commitment by a toll project entity to eliminate toll collection on a project for which the financial assistance is provided.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

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