BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2223
87R13628 BEE-F	By: Canales; Wilson (Nichols)
	Transportation
	5/3/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Transportation infrastructure is severely underfunded due to the size and needs of the state. A recent study showed that Texas is underinvesting in transportation by several billion dollars each year. In addition, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) already spends roughly half of its infrastructure revenue on maintenance of the state highway system. An important component of transportation investment is knowing who the consumers of the pavement are and whether their taxes and fees contribute their fair share into the state highway fund. Understanding how to develop smart public policy on this issue requires data that Texas does not currently have. This bill seeks to remedy this situation by providing for a study by TxDOT on the impact of certain classifications of motor vehicle on the roads and bridges of Texas.

H.B. 2223 amends current law relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation on the impact of certain classifications of motor vehicle on the roads and bridges of this state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. Defines "department."

SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, The University of Texas Center for Transportation Research, and transportation industry representatives, to conduct a study on the impact on the roads and bridges of this state by motor vehicles classified as passenger vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, and oversize or overweight vehicles.

(b) Requires that the study determine, for each classification of vehicle listed in Subsection (a) of this section:

(1) the number of vehicles that drive on the roads and bridges of this state each year;

(2) the number of miles driven on the roads and bridges of this state each year;

(3) the total revenue contribution from taxes and fees to the construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges of this state;

(4) the financial impact due to costs associated with construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges of this state and congestion on the roads and bridges of this state; and

(5) whether and by what amount the total revenue contribution determined under Subdivision (3) of this subsection exceeds or falls short of the financial impact determined under Subdivision (4) of this subsection.

(c) Requires that the study assess the overall economic benefits to the economy of this state of commercial motor vehicles and oversize or overweight vehicles.

(d) Requires that the study recommend one or more changes to existing tax or fee structures to ensure that vehicles of each classification listed under Subsection (a) of this section contribute revenue to fund the construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges of this state in an amount at least equal to the financial impact of the vehicles of that classification on those roads and bridges. Requires that the recommendations include specific dollar amounts for taxes and fees for each classification of vehicle and, if applicable, new methods of structuring existing sources of revenue.

(e) Requires TxDOT, not later than December 1, 2022, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the legislature a written report on the findings of the study. Requires that the report include recommendations for policy and statutory changes, including any proposed legislation, that are based on the results of the study.

SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires May 1, 2023.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.