Texas House Bill HB911

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation on the use of municipal impact fees for roadway facilities.

Impact

The findings from this study could significantly influence how Texas municipalities manage their transportation funding. By assessing the feasibility of using impact fees, the bill could provide municipalities with new revenue streams to alleviate the high costs often associated with infrastructure development. Furthermore, it could help to standardize how municipalities approach future development projects and their associated costs, potentially leading to more sustainable urban growth across Texas. The bill also requires municipalities to contemplate how these fees would interact with state highway funding.

Summary

House Bill 911 pertains to a study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the potential use of municipal impact fees for financing roadway facilities necessitated by local development. The bill mandates TxDOT to evaluate how municipalities can implement impact fees to cover the costs associated with necessary infrastructure improvements due to growth. This includes assessing various factors, such as the existing roadway facility needs, the financial impact on municipal debts, and the overall effectiveness of such fees on local transportation systems.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding the bill may involve various stakeholders, including municipal governments, local taxpayers, and development firms. Some lawmakers and municipal leaders may express concerns regarding the additional financial burden that impact fees could impose on developers or residents, particularly in economically constrained areas. Conversely, proponents may argue that these measures are necessary to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with growth and that developers contribute their fair share to the costs of road improvements directly associated with their projects.