78R4104 JTS-D
By: Hinojosa S.J.R. No. 20
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the use of motor
vehicle registration fees to support trauma centers.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7-a. Subject to legislative appropriation, allocation
and direction, and except as provided in this section, all net
revenues remaining after payment of all refunds allowed by law and
expenses of collection derived from motor vehicle registration
fees, and all taxes, except gross production and ad valorem taxes,
on motor fuels and lubricants used to propel motor vehicles over
public roadways, shall be used for the sole purpose of acquiring
rights-of-way, constructing, maintaining, and policing such public
roadways, and for the administration of such laws as may be
prescribed by the Legislature pertaining to the supervision of
traffic and safety on such roads; [and] for the payment of the
principal and interest on county and road district bonds or
warrants voted or issued prior to January 2, 1939, and declared
eligible prior to January 2, 1945, for payment out of the County and
Road District Highway Fund under existing law; provided, however,
that one-fourth (1/4) of such net revenue from the motor fuel tax
shall be allocated to the Available School Fund; and, provided,
however, that the net revenue derived by counties from motor
vehicle registration fees shall never be less than the maximum
amounts allowed to be retained by each County and the percentage
allowed to be retained by each County under the laws in effect on
January 1, 1945. In addition to other uses authorized by this
section, net revenues remaining after payment of all refunds
allowed by law and expenses of collection derived from motor
vehicle registration fees may be used for the purpose of supporting
trauma centers. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as
authorizing the pledging of the State's credit for any purpose.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the use of
motor vehicle registration fees to support trauma centers."