Bill: HB 642, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

House Transportation

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Negative

Author(s)

John Raney

Bill Caption

Relating to authorizing an optional county fee on vehicle registration in certain counties to be used for transportation projects.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Current law allows a county with a population of 1.5 million that is coterminous with a regional mobility authority to impose an additional $10 vehicle registration fee if so ordered by the county commissioners court.

HB 642 would lower the population bracket from 1.5 million to 190,000. This would effectively allow Brazos County to impose the additional $10 vehicle registration fee. This would also place Brazos County within the bracket of counties eligible to impose a $20 vehicle registration fee if the county commissioners court orders an election for that purpose and a majority of voters in the referendum election approve of the fee increase. 

The purpose of the fee increase would be to fund long-term transportation projects in the county. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes this bill for violating the principles of limited government and individual liberty. Texas motorists are already nickel-and-dimed as is when it comes to fees, and should not be subject to the possibility of higher fees.  The state should ensure that fees are applied equally and in a broad based manner across all counties in the state, so as to remain fair and equal to all Texans. 

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 12:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/hb642?print_view=true