By: Schwertner, NicholsPowell S.B. No. 1728
 
      Powell
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the equalization for road use consumption for
  alternatively fueled vehicles imposed at the time of registration
  or registration renewal; authorizing a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 502.198(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Sections 502.058, 502.060,
  502.1911, 502.192, 502.356, [and] 502.357, and 502.360 and
  Subchapter H, this section applies to all fees collected by a county
  assessor-collector under this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter G, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 502.360 to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.360.  EQUALIZATION FOR ROAD USE CONSUMPTION FOR
  ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLES. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Alternatively fueled vehicle" means a motor
  vehicle that is capable of being powered by a source other than
  gasoline or diesel fuel.
               (2)  "Conventionally fueled vehicle" means a motor
  vehicle that is capable of being powered only by gasoline or diesel
  fuel.
               (3)  "Hybrid electric vehicle" means a motor vehicle
  that is capable of being powered by both electricity and gasoline or
  diesel fuel.
               (4)  "Natural gas vehicle" means a motor vehicle that
  is capable of being powered only by compressed natural gas or
  liquefied natural gas as fuel.
         (b)  In addition to other fees authorized under this chapter,
  at the time of application for registration or renewal of
  registration of an alternatively fueled vehicle, other than a
  vehicle subject to a fee under Subsection (c) or (d), the applicant
  shall pay an additional fee according to the gross weight of the
  vehicle, as follows:
 
Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule  
 
0-6,000 $200  
 
6,001-10,000 $250  
         (c)  In addition to other fees authorized under this chapter,
  at the time of application for registration or renewal of
  registration of a hybrid electric vehicle, the applicant shall pay
  an additional fee according to the gross weight of the vehicle, as
  follows:
 
Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule  
 
0-6,000 $40  
 
6,001-10,000 $50  
         (d)  In addition to other fees authorized under this chapter,
  at the time of application for registration or renewal of
  registration of a natural gas vehicle, the applicant shall pay an
  additional fee in an amount equal to the difference between the
  amounts calculated under Subsections (e)(1) and (2) for that class
  of vehicle.
         (e)  The department shall, for each class of natural gas
  vehicle, calculate:
               (1)  the average annual amount of taxes imposed under
  Chapter 162, Tax Code, that a conventionally fueled vehicle of that
  class would pay; and
               (2)  the average annual amount of taxes imposed under
  that chapter that a natural gas vehicle of that class would pay.
         (f)  The department shall review and update the fee
  calculated under Subsection (e) at least once every five years.
         (g)  Fees collected under this section shall be deposited to
  the credit of the state highway fund.
         (h)  The board shall adopt rules necessary to administer this
  section.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.