BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session AB 194 (Frazier) - High-occupancy toll lanes ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: August 31, 2015 |Policy Vote: T. & H. 10 - 0 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: August 27, 2015 |Consultant: Mark McKenzie | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- *********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM - SUSPENSE FILE *********** The following information is revised to reflect amendments adopted by the committee on August 27, 2015 Bill Summary: AB 194 would authorize the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and regional transportation agencies to apply to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to develop and operate high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes or other toll facilities, as specified. Fiscal Impact: CTC costs of approximately $200,000 per application for due diligence reviews and approvals of project proposals. Costs to review proposals submitted by regional transportation agencies will be reimbursed by the applicant, but CTC would need additional resources for each proposal submitted by Caltrans. (State Highway Account) Unknown costs to Caltrans and regional transportation agencies AB 194 (Frazier) Page 1 of ? to develop and operate HOT lanes. The bill authorizes Caltrans and regional transportation agencies to retain up to three percent of toll revenues for administrative expenses related to the operation of the facilities. Unknown toll revenue gains for Caltrans and regional transportation agencies related to the operation of HOT lanes and other toll facilities. For illustrative purposes, HOT lanes administered by MTA generate approximately $17 million annually. Excess revenues must be used within the corridor from which it was generated. Author Amendments: Consolidate the separate statutory provisions that apply to Caltrans and regional transportation agencies into a single general statutory authorization to develop and operate toll facilities. Delete a requirement that a proposed facility has received environmental clearance and instead require that a project initiation document has been completed for the proposed toll facility. Delete an explicit requirement that the CTC establish guidelines for the development and operation of toll facilities. Require a regional transportation agency sponsoring a toll facility to enter into an agreement with Caltrans that addresses all matters related to design, construction, and maintenance, and operation of the toll facility, as specified, rather than developing and operating the facilities in cooperation with Caltrans and participation of the California Highway Patrol. Make a regional transportation agency sponsoring a toll facility responsible for reimbursing Caltrans for its costs related to the toll facility, as specified. Authorize a sponsoring agency to provide discounts and premiums for the use of the toll facility. Specify that toll revenues are available for debt service related to the toll facility, development, repair, rehabilitation, improvement, reconstruction, and reserves, in addition to other specified uses in the current bill. Require an expenditure plan for a facility sponsored by a regional transportation agency to be reviewed and approved by AB 194 (Frazier) Page 2 of ? the agency's governing board. If Caltrans is the sponsoring agency, the expenditure plan must be reviewed and approved by the CTC. Add clarifying language to the provisions related to bonds issued for purposes of funding toll facilities. Establish the Highway Toll Account in the State Transportation Fund for the management of funds received by Caltrans for toll facilities operated by the department, and specify that funds in the account that are necessary for payment of debt service on toll facilities are continuously appropriated for that purpose. Make other clarifying and conforming changes. -- END --