BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 249 81R983 DWS-D By: Shapleigh Transportation & Homeland Security 3/16/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT During the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, H.B. 3437 was passed, authorizing the Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs) in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties to collect up to $10 per vehicle registered in those counties to finance transportation projects in the area. With state and federal transportation funds becoming more scarce, it is crucial for local governments to have the authority to implement innovative financing techniques for short-term and long-term transportation projects. El Paso's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), along with other metropolitan areas in Texas, has experienced significant growth without a corresponding increase in funding to increase the capacity of the transportation system. The Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan has identified an additional need of more than $6 billion to address all of the mobility needs for El Paso County. This does not include the immediate need to repay bonds authorized by Proposition 14. Additional funds may be needed to accomplish the stated goals of the plan. As proposed, S.B. 249 provides that El Paso County is eligible to impose an optional fee on registration of a vehicle to fund transportation projects. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.1725(a), Transportation Code, to provide that this section applies only to a county that either has no municipality with a population of 300,000 or more or that borders another state of the United States. Deletes existing text providing that this section applies only to a county in which the largest municipality has a population of less than 300,000. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 249
81R983 DWS-D By: Shapleigh
Transportation & Homeland Security
3/16/2009
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
During the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, H.B. 3437 was passed, authorizing the Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs) in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties to collect up to $10 per vehicle registered in those counties to finance transportation projects in the area. With state and federal transportation funds becoming more scarce, it is crucial for local governments to have the authority to implement innovative financing techniques for short-term and long-term transportation projects.
El Paso's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), along with other metropolitan areas in Texas, has experienced significant growth without a corresponding increase in funding to increase the capacity of the transportation system. The Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan has identified an additional need of more than $6 billion to address all of the mobility needs for El Paso County. This does not include the immediate need to repay bonds authorized by Proposition 14. Additional funds may be needed to accomplish the stated goals of the plan.
As proposed, S.B. 249 provides that El Paso County is eligible to impose an optional fee on registration of a vehicle to fund transportation projects.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.1725(a), Transportation Code, to provide that this section applies only to a county that either has no municipality with a population of 300,000 or more or that borders another state of the United States. Deletes existing text providing that this section applies only to a county in which the largest municipality has a population of less than 300,000.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.