81R1123 JD-D
 
  By: Zerwas H.B. No. 644
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the permissible uses of the state highway fund.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 222.001, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 222.001.  USE OF STATE HIGHWAY FUND. Money that is
  required to be used for public roadways by the Texas Constitution or
  federal law and that is deposited in the state treasury to the
  credit of the state highway fund, including money deposited to the
  credit of the state highway fund under Title 23, United States Code,
  may be used only:
               (1)  to improve the state highway system; or
               (2)  to mitigate adverse environmental effects that
  result directly from construction or maintenance of a state highway
  by the department[; or
               [(3)     by the Department of Public Safety to police the
  state highway system and to administer state laws relating to
  traffic and safety on public roads].
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 222, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 222.0025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 222.0025.  LIMITATION ON USE OF STATE HIGHWAY FUND.
  Notwithstanding any other law, money in the state highway fund that
  is described by Section 222.001 or 222.002 may not be transferred to
  or appropriated for use by:
               (1)  the Department of Public Safety;
               (2)  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
               (3)  the Texas Transportation Institute;
               (4)  the Department of State Health Services;
               (5)  the Department of Aging and Disability Services;
               (6)  the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
  Services;
               (7)  the Department of Family and Protective Services;
               (8)  the Health and Human Services Commission or any
  other health and human services agency or entity;
               (9)  the Texas Historical Commission;
               (10)  the Texas Commission on the Arts;
               (11)  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
               (12)  the Texas Education Agency; or
               (13)  the Texas Workforce Commission.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.