By:  Staples                                                      S.B. No. 1713


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a study commission on transportation 
financing. 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 162, Tax Code, is amended 
by adding Section 162.017 to read as follows:
	Sec. 162.017.  STUDY COMMISSION ON TRANSPORTATION 
FINANCING.  (a)  The Study Commission on Transportation Financing 
is created as provided by this section.
	(b)  The commission is composed of nine members as follows:             
		(1)  three members of the general public appointed by 
the governor;  
		(2)  three members appointed by the lieutenant 
governor, of which one is a member of the general public and two are 
members of the senate; and
		(3)  three members appointed by the speaker of the 
house of representatives, of which one is a member of the general 
public and two are members of the house.
	(c)  Each member of the commission serves at the will of the 
person who appointed the member.
	(d)  The lieutenant governor shall designate one of the 
appointed senators and the speaker of the house of representatives 
shall designate one of the appointed house members to serve 
together as joint presiding officers of the commission.
	(e)  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)  The commission may accept gifts and grants from any 
source to be used to carry out a function of the commission.
	(g)  The commission shall conduct public hearings and study 
public policy implications relating to the financing of 
transportation projects.
	(h)  The study shall include:                                           
		(1)  a review of the state motor fuels tax in order to:                
			(A)  evaluate the state motor fuels tax, including 
its efficacy in funding the transportation needs of this state; and
			(B)  examine and evaluate the expenditure of funds 
from the state highway fund;
		(2)  a review of the current sources for funding rail 
transportation projects in order to:
			(A)  evaluate the options for rail funding, 
including their efficacy in funding identified rail needs of the 
state; and
			(B)  identify other possible sources for funding; 
and               
		(3)  a review of all other financing options for all 
modes of transportation, including but not limited to:
			(A)  motor vehicle user fees and fines;                               
			(B)  bonding; and                                                     
			(C)  other debt financing methods.                                    
	(i)  Not later than December 1, 2006, the commission shall 
issue a report summarizing:
		(1)  any hearings conducted by the commission;                         
		(2)  any studies conducted by the commission;                          
		(3)  any legislation proposed by the commission; and                   
		(4)  any other findings and recommendations of the 
commission.       
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.