H.B. No. 2323 amends various sections of the Transportation Code to establish new regulations regarding the cessation of tolls on toll projects under specific conditions. The bill introduces a new section, 372.060, which stipulates that a toll project must be maintained without tolls once the costs of acquisition and construction have been paid, and all associated bonds and interest have been settled. It also outlines the process for determining whether a toll project will become part of the state highway system or a county road system, or if it will continue to be maintained by the existing toll project entity. Additionally, the bill repeals several existing provisions related to toll revenue and financing agreements.

The bill also includes amendments to existing sections that clarify the handling of toll revenues and the financial reporting requirements for toll project entities. Notably, it removes references to surplus revenues from other projects being used to pay for a specific toll project, thereby tightening the financial management of toll revenues. Furthermore, the Texas Department of Transportation is tasked with conducting a study by September 1, 2026, to assess the costs associated with ceasing toll collections on highways, including identifying all toll roads and their projected maintenance costs once they are transitioned to the state highway system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 228.012, Transportation Code 228.0055, Transportation Code 228.104, Transportation Code 228.105, Transportation Code 366.113, Transportation Code 370.113, Transportation Code 372.0535 (Transportation Code 366, Transportation Code 228, Transportation Code 372, Transportation Code 370)