The 79th Legislature’s House Bill 2702 made several changes that will affect Texas’ Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs).
An RMA is a political subdivision formed by one or more counties to finance, acquire, design, construct, operate, maintain, expand or extend transportation projects. The project may be tolled or non-tolled.
RMAs generate revenue for additional transportation projects and provide local governments more control in transportation planning. Texas is home to five RMAs: Central Texas RMA, Alamo RMA, Grayson County RMA, Cameron County RMA and Northeast Texas RMA. The Hidalgo County RMA is currently pending.
Revenue needed to support RMA operations can be generated by tolls, fares or other charges from transportation projects; proceeds from the sale or lease of a transportation project; or proceeds from the sale or lease of property adjoining a transportation project.
HB2702 will affect RMAs in the following ways:
Authorizes RMAs to offer transit services. Authorizes regional tollway authorities (RTAs) and county toll authorities to convert and transfer assets to an RMA. Authorizes RMAs to transfer assets to RTAs and counties.
Revises statutory references in the RMA chapter to reflect re-codification. Allows automated enforcement technology to enforce tolls. Exempts RMA transponder customer account information from the Public Information Act.
Provides that RMA directors serve staggered six-year terms if permitted under the constitution.
Provides that RMA directors are subject to state ethics laws.
Authorizes RMA board meetings to be conducted via teleconference call.
If an RMA enters into an agreement with a private entity that includes the collection of tolls by that entity, requires the authority to approve a methodology for the setting of tolls, increases to tolls, plans to collect tolls including penalties, and any change to the approved methodology. Provides that the length of a concession term may not be longer than 50 years.
Julie Anderson