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.