AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, under the Texas Constitution, only taxes on motor fuels and lubricants, vehicle registrations, and federal reimbursements are specifically dedicated to fund the acquisition of rights-of-way and construct, maintain, and police public roadways. In recent legislative sessions, new funding mechanisms have been created including the use of tolling to fund projects. These projects have the ability to produce large amounts of revenue both up front and over time, as was demonstrated by the State Highway 121 project in Dallas, Denton and Collin counties, as well as the State Highway 161 project in Dallas County. The legislature currently operates under a policy that the funds from toll projects be used to build other transportation projects.
This constitutional amendment would guarantee that all current and future revenue collected from toll roads is spent to improve the transportation system.
S.J.R. 13 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring certain revenue collected by a public entity from the use of a tolled highway project in this state to be used only for transportation projects.
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 Article VIII, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 7-c, as follows:
Sec. 7-c. Authorizes revenue collected by a public entity from the use of a tolled highway project in this state, other than an international bridge, that is not dedicated to repayment of debt for the project to be used only for the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, or improvement of transportation projects.
SECTION 2. Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.