Bill: HB 2859, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Patricia Harless

Bill Caption

Relating to the amount of money authorized to be used for Clean Air Act local initiative projects related to vehicles.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2859, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Summary: Currently, the Texas Clean Air Act runs a program that collects fees for vehicle emissions inspections. This money goes into a fund to be allocated to non-attainment counties for use in vehicle-related local projects pertaining to air quality. Right now the amount that the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality is allowed to allocate from this fund each year is $5 million. HB 2859 would increase this limit to $10 million.

Analysis: The fund is currently growing much faster than it can be spent under the current cap. HB 2859 would allow dedicated funds to be used for their dedicated purpose instead of accumulating in a fund and not being used. The problem, however, may not be that the program can't spend the money fast enough. The problem may be that the program takes in too much money. A better approach would be to lower the fees and allow the fund only to grow at a rate that keeps the fund from outpacing the current spending cap. We are neutral on this legislation.

 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 08:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb2859?print_view=true