Legislative Agenda

Priorities for 82nd Legislative Session (2011)

1. Recommend revision of specific state statutory language to clarify that Regional Toll Revenue received from local tolls as a concession fee or excess toll revenue, when obligated by a written agreement between local political subdivisions and TxDOT is no longer state revenue, but becomes obligated local funds subject to appropriation by signator entities for both on and off system projects.

2. Support a constitutional amendment to restrict appropriations from Fund 6 to TxDOT only from funding allocations for expenditure for roads, rail and other intermodal purposes.

3. Support reauthorization of public-private partnerships (“PPP”) as a financing option where the transportation project cannot be fully funded by public revenue in a timely manner; in particular, support specific authorization to fully fund I-35E and SH 183.

4. Preserve those gains that have been made to provide flexibility and innovation for transportation funding.

5. Support the development and implementation of a state rail plan that reasonably funds and improves passenger and freight rail without excessive regulation.

6. Support the study and review of transportation funding including, but not limited to, vehicle miles traveled; an annual vehicle registration that more accurately reflects road impact; and corridor incremental value added contributions.

7. Support rule making or legislation that requires allocation of TxDOT discretionary funds, not otherwise categorized, to be distributed by formula or equalized to formula allocation amounts each fiscal year.