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.