By: Coleman H.B. No. 4514
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring the Texas Department of Transportation to
demonstrate that alternatives to toll roads have been considered.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 201.6041 to read as follows:
Before the department proceeds with a toll highway project,
the department must demonstrate to the legislature's satisfaction
that it conducted a full study of toll and non-tolled highway
alternatives, among other alternatives, in strict accord with
National Environment Policy Act (42 U.S.C. Section 4321 et seq.)
and implementing federal regulations, and with analysis of data and
information pursuant to the federal Data Quality Act (67 F.R.
8452).
SECTION 2. Prior to proceeding with a toll highway project,
the department must also demonstrate to the legislature's
satisfaction that it has afforded meaningful involvement to, and
given consideration to input from, local elected officials and the
public, and that the selected toll project is the most cost
effective and least environmentally harmful alternative.