Honorable Susan Lewis King, Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1985 by Capriglione (Relating to the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes by motor vehicles displaying license plates issued to veterans with disabilities.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize a vehicle displaying Disabled Veteran license plates to use any high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in Texas regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle unless the use would violate federal transit or highway funding restrictions.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) indicates that the provisions of the bill would not comply with federal law pertaining to the operation of HOV lanes by the state. Failure to comply with the federal law could result in the withholding of federal highway funds. Therefore, pursuant to the provisions of the bill, it is assumed TxDOT would not provide exemptions for vehicle occupancy requirements on HOV lanes if it would violate federal transit or highway funding restrictions. Based on the information provided by TxDOT, it is assumed the bill would not result in a significant fiscal impact to the state.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.