Honorable Geanie W. Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1143 by Hall (Relating to a prohibition on converting high occupancy vehicle highway lanes to tolled lanes.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Transportation Code Sec. 228.201 to repeal the authority for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to operate or transfer a nontolled high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane as a toll project. The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2017.
TxDOT reports that the bill could prohibit currently planned projects that include the removal of HOV lanes and addition of high-occupancy toll lanes. Based on LBB's analysis of TxDOT, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill would be absorbed within the agency's current highway planning and construction resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the North Texas Tollway Authority, the bill would have no fiscal impact on the Authority.
According to the Fort Bend Grand Parkway Toll Road Authority, the bill could impact improvement funding if certain segments of the Grand Parkway between FM-1093 and I-10 are not tolled.