Bill

HB 2065

85(R) - 2017
House Transportation
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
House Transportation
Municipalities
Transparency
Transportation & Infrastructure

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Larry Phillips

Bill Caption

Relating to fines collected by a county or municipality from the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle safety standards.

Fiscal Notes

Depending on the number of municipalities and counties that might fail to comply with the reporting requirement, there could be an indeterminate gain to the State.

Bill Analysis

Current law authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation to establish standards for a municipality or county to pay costs and retain fees from the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle safety standards.  Municipalities and counties may retain fines from enforcement of safety standards not to exceed 110 percent of actual expenses for enforcement.

 

House Bill 2065 would amend current Transportation Code by adding a subsection that would require municipalities and counties to submit a report to the Comptroller’s office detailing the total of fines retained and actual expenses claimed from enforcement. If any municipality and county fail to submit a report, an amount equal to amount retained must be sent to the Comptroller’s office to be credited to the Texas Department of Transportation.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The authority to require greater financial disclosure from political subdivision is clearly within the legitimate responsibility of the government. The reporting requirements of this bill are a step forward for government transparency and accountability.