BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 642

By: Raney

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding traffic congestion and mobility in certain areas in Texas, such as the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. Recent reports suggest that congestion in these areas has been steadily increasing in recent years, even on roadways that have historically remained relatively uncongested. There are indications that residents in these areas place a high priority on resolving these issues. H.B. 642 seeks to address this issue by providing for the imposition of an additional vehicle registration fee to fund long-term transportation projects.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 642 amends the Transportation Code to lower from 1.5 million to 190,000 the minimum population threshold that triggers the authority of a commissioners court of a county that is coterminous with a regional mobility authority to impose an additional vehicle registration fee to fund long-term transportation projects in the county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.