Bill Caption

Relating to repayment of money contributed by the Texas Department of Transportation or the Texas Transportation Commission for toll projects.

Fiscal Notes

The bill would result in an indeterminate positive impact to the State depending on the amount of funds contributed by the Department of Transportation for participation in the costs of local or private toll projects and the terms and conditions for the repayment of those funds.

Bill Analysis

SB 812 would amend current Transportation and Tax code by requiring that the expenses incurred by the commission or department be repaid including recouping the expenses by toll revenue or other sources. The bill would require the repayment of the amount contributed to a toll project, which includes money from the state highway fund, the Texas Mobility Fund, or other sources available to the department.

Loans and grants made prior to the effective date are governed by the law in effect on the date the agreement was made.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The use of toll roads can be a tool in the processes of alleviating public traffic concerns. While tolling entities might work with the Texas Department of Transportation in order to complete construction of a project the entity should be self-sustaining and not rely on additional tax payer funded support to operate the entity. We support the reduction of the size and scope of government spending by restricting the use of funds available for the construction and acquisitions of toll facilities. Under our limited government principle, we support SB 812.