Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB528 by Larson (Relating to the sunset review of regional mobility authorities.), As Introduced
The Sunset Advisory Commission (SAC) reported the total estimated costs for a Sunset review of the regional mobility authorities (RMAs) would be ($862,700) for the upcoming biennium. The provisions of the bill would require all costs incurred by the SAC for the Sunset review to be promptly reimbursed by the RMAs, as determined by SAC.
The bill would amend Subchapter B, Chapter 370 of the Transportation Code to require each regional mobility authority (RMA) to undergo to a Sunset review by the Sunset Advisory Commission (SAC) as if each authority were scheduled to be abolished as of September 1, 2017, but would not abolish any authority. The bill would also require the SAC to determine the costs for each Sunset review and for each RMAs to promptly reimburse SAC for the costs of the review.
Texas currently has nine RMAs throughout the state. According to the SAC, reviewing all nine RMAs would cost $778,530 in fiscal year (FY) 2016 and $84,170 in FY 2017. The costs would include salaries for four additional staff ($778,530), including travel expenses ($21,000) in FY 2016.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
There would be a fiscal impact to each RMA, but the amount would vary depending on the costs associated with the review for each individual RMA as determined by the SAC.
The Alamo RMA, Cameron County RMA, Camino Real RMA, Grayson County RMA, Central Texas RMA and North East Texas RMA reported the bill would have a direct fiscal impact on the RMAs as the bill requires a RMA to pay the cost incurred by the SAC in performing a review of the RMA. The extent of this fiscal impact is unknown, as the bill authorizes the SAC to determine the cost of the review. Furthermore, it is anticipated that significant RMA staff and resources would be required to facilitate the review.