BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3291

By: Cortez

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, which serves the San Antonio area, has made the decision to replace its fleet of diesel-powered transit buses with buses powered by compressed natural gas. It has been suggested that this decision will allow the agency to reduce operating costs as well as provide positive effects to air quality and the economy. To aid with the costs associated with the replacement and transition to buses powered by compressed natural gas, H.B. 3291 seeks to make certain facilities owned or operated by a transit or transportation authority, such as VIA, eligible for grants for alternative fueling facilities.

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. 3291 amends the Health and Safety Code to exclude a facility that is located in a county that has a population of more than one million and is owned or operated by a metropolitan rapid transit authority or a regional transportation authority from the prohibition against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality awarding a grant under the alternative fueling facilities program to an entity that does not agree to make the alternative fueling facility accessible and available to the public at times designated by the grant contract until each eligible entity that does agree to those terms has been awarded a grant.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.