Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2319 by Paddie (Relating to weight limitations for natural gas motor vehicles. ), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize a vehicle or combination of vehicles powered by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas to exceed any weight limitation under Transportation Code §621.101 by an amount equal to the difference between the weight attributable to the vehicle's natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, provided that the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not exceed 82,000 pounds.
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue an annual permit for the international transportation of intermodal shipping containers moving by a truck-tractor and semitrailer combination that has six axles, is equipped with certain safety systems, and is within certain gross weight and axle weight limits as specified by the bill. The bill would require TxDMV to restrict vehicles operating under this permit to routes that are located in a county with a population of more than 90,000, on the state highway system, and are not more than five miles from the border between Texas and Arkansas. The bill would require TxDMV to set the amount of the permit fee in an initial amount not to exceed $2,000; of which 90 percent would be deposited to the State Highway Fund (SHF), five percent deposited to the TxDMV Fund, and five percent to the appropriate county road and bridge fund. Beginning in 2022, on September 1 of each even-numbered year, TxDMV would be required to set the permit fee in an amount based on a reasonable estimate of the costs associated with the operation of the permitted vehicles over the authorized routes, including any increase in highway maintenance costs based on a study to be conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill would specify that permit fees deposited to the SHF may only be used for transportation projects in the TxDOT districts designated on the permit applications. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2017.
Based on LBB's analysis of the information provided by TxDMV and the Texas Department of Transportation, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. TxDMV indicates that the issuance of permits under the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant revenue gain to the SHF and TxDMV Fund.
This legislation would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation, 608 Department of Motor Vehicles