Amend CSSB 655 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION and renumbering the subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____. Subtitle D, Title 3, Natural Resources Code, is amended by adding Chapter 122 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 122. ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Sec. 122.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of Texas.
(2) "Fund" means the alternative fuels fund.
Sec. 122.002. ALTERNATIVE FUELS FUND. (a) The alternative fuels fund is created in the state treasury.
(b) The fund consists of money from:
(1) gifts, grants, or other assistance received by the commission from any source for the purposes of this chapter; and
(2) interest earned on amounts in the fund.
(c) Money in the fund may be appropriated only to the commission to be used to pay the costs of:
(1) researching, developing, and implementing marketing, advertising, and informational programs relating to alternative fuels;
(2) implementing consumer rebate programs established under Section 122.004;
(3) other functions the commission determines are necessary to add a program established by the commission for the purpose of promoting the use of environmentally beneficial alternative fuels; and
(4) the administrative costs incurred by the commission under this chapter.
(d) The fund is exempt from the application of Section 403.095, Government Code.
Sec. 122.003. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. The commission may apply for, request, solicit, contract for, receive, and accept gifts, grants, and other assistance from any source for the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 122.004. CONSUMER REBATE PROGRAMS. (a) The commission may establish consumer rebate programs for purchasers or lessees of vehicles, appliances, and equipment fueled by environmentally beneficial alternative fuels.
(b) The commission may adopt rules necessary to establish a consumer rebate program under this section.