The bill, S.B. No. 2324, amends various sections of the Transportation Code to establish new regulations regarding the cessation of tolls by toll project entities under specific circumstances. Key provisions include the creation of a new section, 372.060, which mandates that toll projects must be maintained without tolls once the costs of acquisition and construction have been paid, and all associated bonds and interest have been settled. The bill outlines the conditions under which a toll project may transition to being part of the state highway system or a county road system, depending on the approval of the Legislative Budget Board.

Additionally, the bill makes several amendments to existing sections, including the removal of references to surplus revenue from toll projects and the stipulation that revenue from one project cannot be used to fund another, except as authorized by specific sections. It also requires toll project entities to publish financial reports detailing toll revenues and expenses, while repealing certain outdated provisions. A study is mandated by September 1, 2026, to assess the costs associated with ceasing toll collections on highways, including identifying all toll roads and their projected transition dates to non-toll status.

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 372, Transportation Code 228, Transportation Code 366, Transportation Code 370)