BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1713

                                                                                                                                          By: Staples

Transportation & Homeland Security

4/2/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the state motor fuels tax is not able to keep pace with the increase in the number of lane miles traveled by the driving public.  During the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, many new financing options were adopted to assist the state in addressing the transportation needs of the state.  The effectiveness of the changes need to be evaluated. 

As proposed, S.B. 1713 creates the Study Commission on Transportation Financing, which will be charged with reviewing the state motor fuels tax, current sources of funding for rail, and other financing options for all modes of transportation.

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 162, Tax Code, by adding Section 162.017, as follows:

Sec.  162.017.  STUDY COMMISSION ON TRANSPORTATION FINANCING.  (a)  Creates the Study Commission on Transportation Financing (commission) as provided by this section.

(b)  Sets forth the membership composition and the appointing entities of the commission.

(c)  Sets forth that each member of the commission serves at the will of the person who appointed the member.

(d)  Requires the lieutenant governor to designate one of the appointed senators and requires the speaker of the house of representatives to designate one of the appointed house members to serve together as joint presiding officers of the commission.

(e)  Provides that a member of the commission is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the commission, as provided by the General Appropriations Act.

(f)  Authorizes the commission to accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a function of the commission.

(g)  Requires the commission to conduct public hearings and study public policy implications relating to the financing of transportation projects.

(h)  Requires the study to include certain subject areas regarding transportation funding.

(i)  Requires the commission, not later than December 1, 2006, to issue a report summarizing certain information resulting from the commissions work.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.