Ben Herr Executive Director, Texas Transit Association Transit-Related Legislation

Legislative Session 80 th Legislature Regular Session 80 th Legislature Regular Session January 9 – May 28, 2007 January 9 – May 28, 2007

Legislative Session Total Number of Bills Filed: Total Number of Bills Filed: –In the House: 4105 –In the Senate: 2023 Transit-related bills we have been tracking: 68 Transit-related bills we have been tracking: 68

Key Transit Bills To Watch…

The Money Bill…

HB 1 and SB 1 Funds for public transportation Funds for public transportation Increase funding to the Department of Transportation by: Increase funding to the Department of Transportation by: –$40 million each year ($80 million per biennium) out of the State Highway Fund –$5 million each year ($10 million per biennium) out of the General Revenue Fund –Total of $45 million each year ($90 million per biennium) –Senate Version Approved: $4.9 million per biennium

Commuter Rail District In The Valley HB 2510 Martinez

Relating to the creation of commuter rail districts Relating to the creation of commuter rail districts the creation, administration, powers, duties, operations, and financing of a commuter rail district the creation, administration, powers, duties, operations, and financing of a commuter rail district granting the authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain granting the authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain Representative Martinez (Hidalgo)

HB 2510 Martinez

SB 1088 Shapiro Texas Mobility Fund

SB 1088 Shapiro Relating to the use of the money in the Texas Mobility Fund for mass transit projects Relating to the use of the money in the Texas Mobility Fund for mass transit projects Companion: HB 2987 Hill Companion: HB 2987 Hill (1) Requires that the comptroller use the money dedicated to mass transit projects to make grants to municipalities to finance mass transit projects that the comptroller determines will be best for the state (1) Requires that the comptroller use the money dedicated to mass transit projects to make grants to municipalities to finance mass transit projects that the comptroller determines will be best for the state (2) A municipality receiving a grant may use the money directly or deliver the money to another governmental entity (2) A municipality receiving a grant may use the money directly or deliver the money to another governmental entity Senator Shapiro (Plano)

(3) Money from a grant may be used only to finance capital costs of a project, including debt service for debt financing of capital costs, and may not be used to pay operating costs or to finance a project of a regional mobility authority (3) Money from a grant may be used only to finance capital costs of a project, including debt service for debt financing of capital costs, and may not be used to pay operating costs or to finance a project of a regional mobility authority (4) To be eligible to receive a grant, municipalities must match the amount sought (4) To be eligible to receive a grant, municipalities must match the amount sought (5) The comptroller shall administer the grant program, including determination of grant recipients, the amount and the manner of delivery of a grant, conditions on use of the grant, and other matters necessary to the operation of the grant program (5) The comptroller shall administer the grant program, including determination of grant recipients, the amount and the manner of delivery of a grant, conditions on use of the grant, and other matters necessary to the operation of the grant program Senator Shapiro (Plano) SB 1088 Shapiro

Funds for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety HB 3962 Castro

Relating to an optional county fee on registration of a vehicle to fund facilities enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety Relating to an optional county fee on registration of a vehicle to fund facilities enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety The commissioners court of a county by order may impose an additional fee, not to exceed $10, for registering a vehicle in the county. The commissioners court of a county by order may impose an additional fee, not to exceed $10, for registering a vehicle in the county. Representative Castro (San Antonio)

SB 132 Wentworth Bus-only Lane Program

SB 132 Wentworth A motor bus-only lane program A motor bus-only lane program Shoulders would be used as low- speed passing lanes during peak traffic times Shoulders would be used as low- speed passing lanes during peak traffic times Senator Wentworth (San Antonio)

SB 132 Wentworth Established and operated on state highways with sufficient shoulder widths Established and operated on state highways with sufficient shoulder widths Max. speed limit 55 mph Max. speed limit 55 mph

SB 257 Carona Removing The Tax Cap

SB 257 Carona Relating to limitations on the combined rates of transit and other local sales and use taxes Relating to limitations on the combined rates of transit and other local sales and use taxes All municipalities would now qualify to be able to adopt/repeal a sales tax All municipalities would now qualify to be able to adopt/repeal a sales tax Currently, combined rate of all sales & use taxes cannot exceed 2%; Currently, combined rate of all sales & use taxes cannot exceed 2%; With this bill transit sales and use taxes would not be included in that 2% cap With this bill transit sales and use taxes would not be included in that 2% cap Senator Carona (Dallas)

Spending Tax Revenue On Mass Transit Facilities SB 1089 Shapiro

Relating to the authority of certain development corporations to spend tax revenue on certain mass transit-related facilities Relating to the authority of certain development corporations to spend tax revenue on certain mass transit-related facilities A corporation created under Section 4A or 4B of The Development Corporation Act of 1979 (Article , Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) may, as authorized by the corporation's board of directors, spend tax revenue received under this Act for the development, improvement, expansion, or maintenance of facilities relating to the operation of commuter rail, light rail, or motor buses. A corporation created under Section 4A or 4B of The Development Corporation Act of 1979 (Article , Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) may, as authorized by the corporation's board of directors, spend tax revenue received under this Act for the development, improvement, expansion, or maintenance of facilities relating to the operation of commuter rail, light rail, or motor buses. Senator Shapiro (Plano)

Thank you