Bohac & Leibowitz Pass Several Key Amendments to TxDOT Sunset Bill

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The Texas House of Representatives just passed sweeping legislation that will fundamentally change the way the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operates. House Bill 300 is a sunset bill that looks at the entire agency in the hope of improving the way it functions. Sunset bills take a holistic view at all government agencies, and agencies typically come up for review every 12 years on a rotating basis.

After roughly two days of debate, a bi-partisan effort by State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) and David McQuade Leibowitz (D-San Antonio) succeeded in passing several key amendments that will have a positive impact on transportation in Texas. If the amendments survive as the bill advances in the Senate, Texas could see important changes.

Two critical amendments were adopted by the House involving the regulation of toll roads. The first amendment prohibits existing freeways and roads from being converted to toll roads. The second amendment, effectively, abolishes the Trans-Texas Corridor.

A third amendment was adopted as result of their efforts; the commissioner of TxDOT would become a statewide elected position, rather than a governor appointee as is current law. “We believe that by moving to an elected position, citizens of Texans will have greater oversight and more direct accountability,” said Rep. Bohac.

“For years, Texans have been fighting to abolish the Trans-Texas Corridor and the development of these cross-state toll roads, but their concerns have fallen on deaf ears,” said Rep. Leibowitz. “Rep. Bohac and I have taken the first step in putting control of the state’s transportation policy back in the hands of the people.”