Honorable Rafael Anchia, Chair, House Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3460 by VanDeaver (Relating to the movement of vehicles transporting sealed ocean cargo shipping containers; authorizing a fee.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue an annual permit for the movement of sealed ocean cargo shipping containers on a trailer with three axles if the combination of vehicles transporting the containers is within certain axle weight limits and equipped with certain safety systems as specified by the bill. The bill would require TxDMV to restrict vehicles operating under this permit to routes that are 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 85 percent would be deposited to the State Highway Fund (SHF), ten percent deposited to the TxDMV Fund, and five percent to the General Revenue 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 TxDOT. The bill would specify that permit fees deposited to the General Revenue Fund may only be used to offset the cost of the study conducted by TxDOT. 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, TxDMV Fund, and General Revenue 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:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 601 Department of Transportation, 608 Department of Motor Vehicles