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| Legislative Watch | 
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Texas |
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6/12/07-Gov. Rick Perry signed a compromise bill into law Monday, June 11, imposing a two-year moratorium on most new private toll roads in the state.
Exceptions have been be made for about a dozen projects already in the works in areas that include Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
The length of leasing contracts will be limited from 70 years to 50 years. The new law also requires any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
A separate provision limits comprehensive development agreements used in contracts for public-private road building. The agreements are intended to allow the Texas Department of Transportation to complete road-building projects more quickly and economically by using a single contract for both the design and construction tasks.
Another provision allows TxDOT to issue $3 billion in bonds to borrow against future fuel tax revenue as equity for state toll roads.
The new law, previously SB792, took effect immediately.
5/29/07-The House forwarded a compromise transportation bill to Gov. Rick Perry that imposes a two-year moratorium on most new private toll roads in the state for two years.
House members voted 127-19 Saturday, May 26, to sign off on the negotiated deal. The Senate unanimously approved the changes a day earlier. The legislative actions clear the way for the bill – SB792 – to advance to the governor’s desk.
Perry vetoed the first version to reach his desk citing concerns it would jeopardize the state’s entire transportation system, as well as transfer too much road-building authority from the state to local governments. He threatened to call a special session if lawmakers opted to override his veto instead of working with his office to craft a compromise.
The second bill won quick support in the Senate, but the House made 18 amendments. A conference committee was convened to craft a final version that all sides could live with.
The final version sitting atop Perry’s desk did preserve a two-year ban on most private toll roads. The freeze is intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
Exceptions would be made for projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
The compromise bill also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years, instead of 40-year limits sought in the original legislation. It also would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
A separate provision attached to the bill would limit comprehensive development agreements used in contracts for public-private road building. Another provision would bar the state from entering into non-compete agreements for toll roads.
Perry has until June 17 to decide whether he will sign the bill, let it become law without his signature, or veto it. Since the legislative session has ended, lawmakers would not have the option to attempt an override.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
5/18/07-The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday, May 17, that includes a two-year moratorium on most new private toll roads. It now heads to the Senate for approval of changes.
With the threat of a gubernatorial veto and summer session hanging over their heads, House members voted 143-2 to approve a reworked transportation bill – SB792 – they hope will satisfy Gov. Rick Perry.
Several state officials spent the better part of a week working to hammer out an agreement to satisfy Perry’s concerns in another transportation bill sitting atop his desk. The governor has said he would veto that bill – HB1892 – before the 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 18, deadline because it transfers too much road-building authority from the state to local governments.
He also expressed concern the bill on his desk could threaten the state’s federal highway funds and possibly kill key road projects.
Trying to avert the pains of extra work, legislators in both chambers have been working furiously to get the revised bill – SB792 – to the governor’s suite before the deadline. If they are successful, plans are to recall the first transportation bill from Perry’s desk before the Friday veto deadline.
The compromise bill did preserve a two-year ban on most private toll roads. The freeze is intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
Exceptions would be made for projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
A formula to allow the state to buy back roads was reworked. Any deals would be based on original estimates of toll revenue for the life of the project instead of basing the price on what the company had invested in the road.
It also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years, instead of 40-year limits sought in the original legislation.
In addition, the compromise bill would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
The compromise bill is awaiting final consideration on the Senate floor. If approved there, it would head to the governor’s desk for his signature.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
5/15/07-With the threat of a gubernatorial veto and summer session hanging over their heads, the Senate Monday, May 14, unanimously approved a reworked transportation bill that would allow several toll projects throughout the state to move forward.
Several state officials spent the better part of a week working to hammer out an agreement to satisfy Gov. Rick Perry’s concerns in another transportation bill sitting atop his desk. The governor has said he would veto that bill – HB1892 – because it transfers too much road-building authority from the state to local governments.
He also expressed concern the House version could threaten the state’s federal highway funds and possibly kill key road projects.
After the vote that cleared the way for the revised effort – SB792 – to advance to the House, Perry signaled that he would allow the Senate version to become law if it passes both chambers in its current form.
The compromise bill did preserve a two-year moratorium on most private toll roads. The freeze is intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
However, both bills would exempt projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. Senate lawmakers added protections for projects in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
A formula to allow the state to buy back roads was reworked. Any deals would be based on original estimates of toll revenue for the life of the project instead of basing the price on what the company had invested in the road.
It also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years, instead of 40-year limits sought in the original legislation.
In addition, the compromise bill would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
The compromise bill has been forwarded to the House where the County Affairs Committee wasted little time in advancing it to the chamber floor. It could come up for consideration there as early as the morning of Wednesday, May 16.
In case the governor changes his mind about signing the bill, leaders in the statehouse are hopeful they can hand Perry the bill as early as Thursday, May 17. That would allow them enough time before the session ends May 28 for a veto override attempt.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
5/14/07-A reworked transportation bill was revealed Monday, May 14, in the Senate after several state officials spent the past few days working to hammer out an agreement on toll roads.
The effort is primarily intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
SB792 would require a study of the long-term effects of public private partnerships. It also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years.
The bill would exempt projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. Exemptions also would apply for State Route 99 near Houston and the Interstate 69 corridor in the Rio Grande Valley.
The state would be able to buy back roads based on original estimates of toll revenue for the life of the project instead of basing the price on what the company had invested in the road.
It also would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
Exceptions have been be made for about a dozen projects already in the works in areas that include Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
The length of leasing contracts will be limited from 70 years to 50 years. The new law also requires any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
A separate provision limits comprehensive development agreements used in contracts for public-private road building. The agreements are intended to allow the Texas Department of Transportation to complete road-building projects more quickly and economically by using a single contract for both the design and construction tasks.
Another provision allows TxDOT to issue $3 billion in bonds to borrow against future fuel tax revenue as equity for state toll roads.
The new law, previously SB792, took effect immediately.
5/29/07-The House forwarded a compromise transportation bill to Gov. Rick Perry that imposes a two-year moratorium on most new private toll roads in the state for two years.
House members voted 127-19 Saturday, May 26, to sign off on the negotiated deal. The Senate unanimously approved the changes a day earlier. The legislative actions clear the way for the bill – SB792 – to advance to the governor’s desk.
Perry vetoed the first version to reach his desk citing concerns it would jeopardize the state’s entire transportation system, as well as transfer too much road-building authority from the state to local governments. He threatened to call a special session if lawmakers opted to override his veto instead of working with his office to craft a compromise.
The second bill won quick support in the Senate, but the House made 18 amendments. A conference committee was convened to craft a final version that all sides could live with.
The final version sitting atop Perry’s desk did preserve a two-year ban on most private toll roads. The freeze is intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
Exceptions would be made for projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
The compromise bill also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years, instead of 40-year limits sought in the original legislation. It also would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
A separate provision attached to the bill would limit comprehensive development agreements used in contracts for public-private road building. Another provision would bar the state from entering into non-compete agreements for toll roads.
Perry has until June 17 to decide whether he will sign the bill, let it become law without his signature, or veto it. Since the legislative session has ended, lawmakers would not have the option to attempt an override.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
5/18/07-The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday, May 17, that includes a two-year moratorium on most new private toll roads. It now heads to the Senate for approval of changes.
With the threat of a gubernatorial veto and summer session hanging over their heads, House members voted 143-2 to approve a reworked transportation bill – SB792 – they hope will satisfy Gov. Rick Perry.
Several state officials spent the better part of a week working to hammer out an agreement to satisfy Perry’s concerns in another transportation bill sitting atop his desk. The governor has said he would veto that bill – HB1892 – before the 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 18, deadline because it transfers too much road-building authority from the state to local governments.
He also expressed concern the bill on his desk could threaten the state’s federal highway funds and possibly kill key road projects.
Trying to avert the pains of extra work, legislators in both chambers have been working furiously to get the revised bill – SB792 – to the governor’s suite before the deadline. If they are successful, plans are to recall the first transportation bill from Perry’s desk before the Friday veto deadline.
The compromise bill did preserve a two-year ban on most private toll roads. The freeze is intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
Exceptions would be made for projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
A formula to allow the state to buy back roads was reworked. Any deals would be based on original estimates of toll revenue for the life of the project instead of basing the price on what the company had invested in the road.
It also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years, instead of 40-year limits sought in the original legislation.
In addition, the compromise bill would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
The compromise bill is awaiting final consideration on the Senate floor. If approved there, it would head to the governor’s desk for his signature.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
5/15/07-With the threat of a gubernatorial veto and summer session hanging over their heads, the Senate Monday, May 14, unanimously approved a reworked transportation bill that would allow several toll projects throughout the state to move forward.
Several state officials spent the better part of a week working to hammer out an agreement to satisfy Gov. Rick Perry’s concerns in another transportation bill sitting atop his desk. The governor has said he would veto that bill – HB1892 – because it transfers too much road-building authority from the state to local governments.
He also expressed concern the House version could threaten the state’s federal highway funds and possibly kill key road projects.
After the vote that cleared the way for the revised effort – SB792 – to advance to the House, Perry signaled that he would allow the Senate version to become law if it passes both chambers in its current form.
The compromise bill did preserve a two-year moratorium on most private toll roads. The freeze is intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
However, both bills would exempt projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. Senate lawmakers added protections for projects in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
A formula to allow the state to buy back roads was reworked. Any deals would be based on original estimates of toll revenue for the life of the project instead of basing the price on what the company had invested in the road.
It also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years, instead of 40-year limits sought in the original legislation.
In addition, the compromise bill would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
The compromise bill has been forwarded to the House where the County Affairs Committee wasted little time in advancing it to the chamber floor. It could come up for consideration there as early as the morning of Wednesday, May 16.
In case the governor changes his mind about signing the bill, leaders in the statehouse are hopeful they can hand Perry the bill as early as Thursday, May 17. That would allow them enough time before the session ends May 28 for a veto override attempt.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.
5/14/07-A reworked transportation bill was revealed Monday, May 14, in the Senate after several state officials spent the past few days working to hammer out an agreement on toll roads.
The effort is primarily intended to buy the state more time to review the effects of handing over roadways to private groups.
SB792 would require a study of the long-term effects of public private partnerships. It also would reduce the length of leasing contracts from 70 years to 50 years.
The bill would exempt projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. Exemptions also would apply for State Route 99 near Houston and the Interstate 69 corridor in the Rio Grande Valley.
The state would be able to buy back roads based on original estimates of toll revenue for the life of the project instead of basing the price on what the company had invested in the road.
It also would require any future toll road projects to undergo a “market valuation” to determine their value. Local toll road agencies would get first crack at projects if they can muster the up-front money.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.