Uresti files bill to create fund for county road repairs

AUSTIN — County roads that have taken a beating from the shale oil boom in South and West Texas would be eligible for repair funds under legislation filed Wednesday by state Sen. Carlos Uresti.

Senate Bill 300 — the first bill filed by Uresti in the 83rd session because of its importance to the district — would create a road improvement fund comprised of oil and gas severance taxes and managed by the Texas Department of Transportation.

“The resurgence of oil and gas production in South Texas and the Permian Basin has created thousands of jobs and spurred the state and local economies,” Uresti said. “But all this activity has taken a heavy toll on our roadways, and counties should not have to shoulder the burden of repair costs alone.”

County roads in the Eagle Ford and other oil producing regions and adjacent counties — designed for autos, pickup trucks and tractors — are being damaged by huge trucks hauling drilling rigs, oil field equipment, chemicals, and waste water. It’s estimated that the number of truckloads of water for a single well are equivalent to adding the weight of 8 million car trips.

While TxDOT has identified some funds to help counties with road repairs, more will be needed in the years to come. Under Uresti’s bill, a percentage of oil and gas severance tax collections would be dedicated to a road improvement grant fund managed by TxDOT. A county could apply for grants for specific road improvement projects based on the amount of oil and gas severance taxes the county contributes. The county would have to contribute 5 percent in matching funds for each project.

Priority would be given to those counties that have a proven record of road maintenance, reflected by annual county road reports as specified by the Transportation Code.

Uresti noted that state leaders have advocated using the rainy day fund, which is comprised of oil and gas severance taxes, for both water and transportation projects. In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry called for investing $3.7 billion from rainy day fund, also known as the Economic Stabilization fund, for such projects.

“The state’s oil and gas reserves have the potential to create jobs and help sustain the economy far into the future,” Uresti said. “But that promise cannot be realized if the Legislature fails to maintain the bridges, highways, and other infrastructure needed to keep the economy growing.

“The fund I am proposing will help our counties make sure that roadways are safe, secure, and reliable, whether you are driving an oil patch truck or the family car.”