BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2725

By: Cole

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, discount programs for electronic toll collection customers established by a toll project entity must provide for free or discounted use of the entity's toll project by certain veterans. The bill author has informed the committee that the Austin EMS Association is interested in expanding these discount programs to cover first responders, including paramedics, firefighters, and police officers. H.B. 2725 seeks to address this issue by including these first responders among the individuals who must be included in such a discount program.

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. 2725 amends the Transportation Code to include an electronic toll collection customer whose account relates to a vehicle registered to a paramedic, peace officer, or firefighter among the customers who must be provided free or discounted use of a toll project under any discount program the toll project entity establishes for electronic toll collection customers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.