Honorable Tom Craddick, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3720 by Thompson (Relating to the construction of bridges in Harris County.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3720, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($85,000,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
($85,000,000)
2027
$0
2028
$0
2029
$0
2030
$0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2026
($85,000,000)
2027
$0
2028
$0
2029
$0
2030
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to plan, design, and construct two rail-roadway grade separation projects at two locations off of the state highway system in Harris County. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.
Methodology
TxDOT estimates the cost to complete both projects required by the bill would be $85.0 million, excluding expenses for right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation. For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed implementation of the bill would require a specific legislative appropriation to TxDOT from the General Revenue Fund.
Note: Transportation Code, Section 201.703(b) stipulates that state money may not be used exclusively for the construction of a road not on the state highway system. It is assumed financial contributions from federal, local, and/or private funding sources would be required for TxDOT to implement the provisions of the bill. The availability of non-state funding sources for these purposes is unknown at this time.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to Transportation Code, Section 201.703(b), it is assumed a contribution of local funds may be required to implement the legislation.