By: Wilson H.B. No. 3843
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Texas A&M Transportation
Institute regarding toll project entities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Institute" means the Texas A&M Transportation
Institute.
(2) "Toll project" has the meaning assigned by Section
201.001(b), Transportation Code.
(3) "Toll project entity" means an entity that
operates a toll project, including:
(A) the Texas Department of Transportation under
Chapter 228, Transportation Code;
(B) a regional tollway authority under Chapter
366, Transportation Code;
(C) a regional mobility authority under Chapter
370, Transportation Code; or
(D) a county under Chapter 284, Transportation
Code.
SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The institute shall conduct a study
comparing the practices and operations of toll project entities
statewide.
(b) The study must include a comparison of:
(1) toll operations;
(2) error rates;
(3) customer complaints and case escalations;
(4) speed of processing;
(5) billing practices; and
(6) any other factors the institute deems appropriate.
(c) Not later than May 1, 2024, each toll project entity
shall submit to the institute the entity's comments on best
practices for and challenges experienced with the matters listed in
Subsection (b) of this section and any other matter that presents a
challenge to the entity in the operation of a toll project. The
institute shall incorporate the comments into the report required
by Section 3 of this Act.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2024, the
institute shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
and the legislature a written report of the findings of the study.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires May 1, 2025.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.