Texas House Bill HB3955

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the functions of the Texas Department of Transportation relating to transportation planning and projects.

Impact

This legislation is significant as it stipulates that TxDOT must create a dashboard that visually represents key performance measures and updates related to transportation goals. This ensures transparency and provides stakeholders, including the general public, a direct means of tracking the department's progress. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular evaluations of project portfolios, enhancing oversight and improving project management processes within the department, ultimately leading to greater accountability in the execution of transportation projects.

Summary

House Bill 3955 addresses the functions of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with respect to transportation planning and project management. The bill aims to enhance the methods by which TxDOT formulates and evaluates its transportation plans, ensuring they are aligned with clearly defined goals and performance measures. By amending the Transportation Code, the bill mandates the inclusion of specific and measurable strategies, as well as the identification of priority projects that address the state's transportation needs effectively.

Contention

While the bill primarily focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and accountability within TxDOT, discussions around it may surface concerns regarding bureaucratic overreach or the potential implications for smaller local transportation entities. Stakeholders may express worries about how the stringent performance requirements might impact local projects or how the emphasis on measurable outcomes could detract from qualitative aspects of transportation planning, such as community engagement or environmental considerations.