Texas House Bill HB3650

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into availability payment agreements for the design, development, financing, construction, maintenance, or operation of a highway project.

Impact

If enacted, HB 3650 will amend the Transportation Code to introduce a new subchapter dedicated to availability payment agreements. This change would facilitate arrangements where private entities are compensated through periodic payments, linking their earnings to the fulfillment of agreed performance metrics. The potential influx of private investment could lead to improved infrastructure and quicker project execution, addressing some of the prevalent issues of funding and delays in highway development.

Summary

House Bill 3650 seeks to empower the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by allowing it to enter into availability payment agreements for the design, development, financing, construction, maintenance, or operation of highway projects. This would enable TxDOT to collaborate more effectively with private entities, providing a framework for compensating these entities based on their performance in meeting specific milestones and availability requirements. The bill aims to streamline project delivery and enhance operational efficiency within Texas's state highway system.

Contention

Critics of the bill may argue that such private agreements could lead to less transparency and diminished public accountability in highway management. Concerns may arise regarding the balance of interests between public needs and private profit motives. Furthermore, the specificity of performance requirements and the handling of taxpayer dollars in such arrangements will be areas of focus, as stakeholders consider the implications of privatizing elements of Texas's transportation infrastructure. The bill's provisions around confidentiality of information could also raise alarms about the public's right to access information on project development.