HB 3899
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Impacts use of funds by local agencies
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Did not pass
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This bill would require elections to be held for projects with specific plans and budgets. This would mean that tax revenues would still be collected for Project Connect, but that it could not have been spent on the project without going back to local voters for approval.
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SB 505
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New fee on electric vehicles
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Passed
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EV owners now have to pay a $200 fee during annual registration renew, or $400 for the registration of a new vehicle, as a means to make up for lost gas tax revenue. In a number of ways this may decentivize ownership of electric vehicles. There is also a concern that there is tax already being paid due to charging, it just doesn't go to roads.
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HB 3418
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Pilot Vehicle Miles Travelled Fee
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Did not pass, but saw some support
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This bill would have put into place a pilot program of approximately 300 commercial vehicles. It was described as a potential means of testing an alternative to the current motor vehicle fuel tax (or gas tax).
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HB 1885
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Allowing for variable speed limits
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Passed
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This change allows for TxDOT engineers to approve of variable speed limits, which can be useful for construction zones and for inclement weather. Evidence suggests that allowing for variable speeds can help improve safety.
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HB 2190
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Language change from accident to collision/crash
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Passed
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Although this may seem like a small change to legal language of vehicle crashes, it reflects a growing recognition in the transportation field that the design and operations of streets has substantial impact on their safety.
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88(3) HB 190
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Reimburses transportation fees for students
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Proposed
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The Texas Education Agency would have to reimburse school districts that take on transportation costs associated with an out-of-district student. This would provide additional funding for school districts to provide transportation costs, rather than provide those funds to transit providers or incentivize collaboration between districts and existing transit providers. This could lead to doubling up of routes between agencies. Could be proposed again during a future session.
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88(3) HB 103
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Rollback rate for Cities / Counties
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Proposed
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As acknowledgement that inflation exceeded 3.5%, proposed an alternative calculation for the rollback rate. This affects public project funding, including transportation and could be proposed again during a future session.
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