Bill

HB 4280

86(R) - 2019
House Transportation
Senate Transportation
House Transportation
Senate Transportation
Oil & Gas

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Geanie Morrison
Tom Craddick
Tracy King
Brooks Landgraf
Poncho Nevarez

Co-Author(s)

John Cyrier
Drew Darby
Ryan Guillen

Sponsor(s)

Pete Flores

Bill Caption

Relating to the grant program distributing money from the transportation infrastructure fund.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 4280 would make various changes to the grant program for distributing money from the transportation infrastructure fund with the purpose of increasing the contributions to counties which generate the most severance tax revenue for purposes of constructing, repairing and maintaining county roads related to oil and gas production. The bill would clarify that counties would only be eligible for funds from the fund if at least $10 million in oil & gas production taxes were collected in the county in the previous fiscal year. The bill would additionally distribute 10% of the grants according to weight tolerance permits (decreased from 20%) and 60% according to well completions (increased from 50%).

Lastly, the bill would require counties which enter into a contract for a transportation infrastructure project with funds from the grant program to engage in competitive bidding practices, among some other additional requirements. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on HB 4280 as it does not affect our liberty principles. This bill does not spend any additional money via the fund, instead just redirecting the current funds to the counties which likely need it most as a result of increased production and transportation infrastructure needs. 

Organizations Supporting

Apache Group
Chevron
Concho Resources Inc.
ConocoPhillips
EOG Resources
Exxon Mobil
Occidental Petroleum
Permian Basin Petroleum Association
Pioneer Natural Resources
Shell Oil
Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association
Texas Oil and Gas Association