Texas House Bill HB2990

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority and powers of regional mobility authorities.

Impact

The adjustments made by HB 2990 significantly affect local and state transportation governance. By enabling regional mobility authorities to collect taxes and issue bonds more liberally, the bill is designed to facilitate funding for new projects and improvements of existing infrastructure. It also paves the way for private sector involvement through public-private partnerships, which proponents argue could lead to faster implementation of transportation solutions.

Summary

House Bill 2990 focuses on enhancing the powers and authority of regional mobility authorities in Texas. It seeks to amend various provisions in the Transportation Code to allow these authorities greater flexibility in managing transportation projects. For instance, the bill defines 'surplus revenue' more expansively and allows authorities to enter into contracts for transportation projects more freely, minimizing prior requirements for competitive bidding in certain cases. This change aims to streamline the construction of vital infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill has sparked discussion about the balance of power between state and local government. Critics express concern that the broad authority given to regional mobility authorities could encroach upon local control over transportation decisions, leading to a disconnect between community needs and large-scale transportation projects. Additionally, the mechanisms for tax collection for infrastructure funding have raised eyebrows about financial impacts on taxpayers.