SRC-MAX H.C.R. 38 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.C.R. 38
By: Alexander (Cain)
State Affairs
3-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) was
created to sustain and enhance a strong national surface transportation
network through the National Highway System  and to expand other programs
to ensure that states' transportation plans are intermodal,
environmentally sound, and energy efficient.   

Under current federal transportation funding formulas some states receive
more money than they pay into the program.  Conversely, for every dollar
Texas sends to Washington, D.C., from the motor fuel tax, the state
receives 83 cents in return.   

Texas has recently joined a coalition of more than 20 states to develop
the Streamlined Transportation Efficiency Program for the 21st Century
(Step 21).  This program  would guarantee all states a  95 percent return
on federal gasoline dollars sent to Washington, D.C., and would reduce
government regulations on how states spend their transportation tax
dollars.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.C.R. 38 submits the following resolutions:

To support the passage of the Streamlined Transportation Efficiency
Program for the 21st Century (STEP 21). 

To cosponsor the ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act.

Provides that the Texas secretary of state will forward official copies of
this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of
the house of representatives and the president of the senate of the United
States Congress, and to all members of the Texas Congressional delegation
with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the
Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of
America.