SRC-VRA, TJG S.J.R. 27 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 27
78R4560 CBH-FBy: Lindsay
Finance
3/12/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, motor fuel taxes are not used for funding group health benefits
for employees of school districts. As proposed, S.J.R. 27 requires the
submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment to increase the tax
on motor fuels by $0.04 and requires that one-fourth of the net revenue be
sent to the Available School Fund for funding group health benefits for
employees of school districts.  The remainder of the net revenue would be
allocated to the Texas Department of Transportation for programs
administered by the department and the department's debt service. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, as
follows: 

Sec. 7-a.  (a)  Creates this subsection from existing text.  Makes a
conforming change. 

(b) Requires the net revenue derived from the first four cents of an
increase in the rate of the gasoline or diesel fuel taxes otherwise
dedicated by this section over the rate of the taxes on January 1, 2003,
to be allocated in certain proportions for certain purposes. 

(c) Authorizes not more than one-third of the net revenue dedicated under
Subsection (b) of this section to be used to pay the debt service of the
Texas Department of Transportation or of its successor in function. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be
submitted to the voters at an elections to be held November 4, 2003.
Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against this
certain proposition.