Texas House Bill HB4227

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into comprehensive development agreements.

Impact

Should HB 4227 be enacted, it will lead to more strategic use of CDAs in Texas, potentially expediting the construction and improvement of critical highway infrastructure. By establishing a threshold for project costs and funding availability, TxDOT aims to ensure that only the most essential and impactful projects can leverage these agreements. This change may divert attention and resources towards the most critical transportation projects while allowing the department to manage its overall funding strategy more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 4227 seeks to modify the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) for major infrastructure projects. The bill stipulates that TxDOT may enter into these agreements for projects exceeding an estimated capital cost of $1 billion, provided that significant state funding is not available without a significant reprioritization of existing funds designated for highway improvement projects. Additionally, the bill limits the department to one CDA per fiscal year under these circumstances.

Contention

Criticism of the bill centers around concerns of prioritization in transportation projects. Detractors argue that limiting the number of CDAs could hinder smaller, local projects that might not reach the $1 billion threshold but are nonetheless vital for regional connectivity and community development. There is also apprehension regarding the potential delay in addressing smaller infrastructure needs, which could lead to longer-term issues in transportation accessibility across Texas.