Texas House Bill HB3159

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to Texas Department of Transportation and regional mobility authority comprehensive development agreements.

Impact

The enactment of HB 3159 would notably impact the way TxDOT and regional mobility authorities execute and manage CDAs, with a defined expiration date for their authority set to August 31, 2031. This is significant as it aims to enhance the management of highway infrastructure projects, ensuring that investments are made in a timely and efficient manner. Additionally, the legislation retains prior commitments made under existing agreements, without invalidating them, thereby providing a safeguard for ongoing and future projects under the previous rules.

Summary

House Bill 3159 aims to amend the Texas Transportation Code regarding comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) utilized by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and regional mobility authorities. The bill specifies the types of projects for which these agreements can be entered, outlining various highway projects across multiple counties, including notable expansions and improvements such as the Interstate Highway 35 Northeast Expansion and the Loop 1604 project within Bexar County. By defining the scope and limits of these agreements, the bill is designed to provide clarity and streamline the development process for significant transportation projects.

Contention

While the bill serves to clearly delineate the responsibilities and authority of TxDOT concerning CDAs, it may spark discussions regarding local versus state control over transportation projects. Stakeholders advocating for specific local needs may express concerns that the centralization of authority could overlook unique regional transportation challenges. Furthermore, the limitation on the project's temporal authority could raise questions about the long-term strategic planning and funding for transportation infrastructure in the state. As transportation projects are often subject to funding availability and changing priorities, the implications of such legislative limits could become a point of contention among legislators and community advocates.