82R23186 AJZ-D

By: Harper-Brown H.B. No. 1669

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1669:

By: Bonnen C.S.H.B. No. 1669

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a motor vehicle mileage fee pilot program for certain motor vehicles by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

(2) "Electric motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses electricity as its only source of motor power.

(3) "Hybrid motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that draws propulsion energy from both gasoline or conventional diesel fuel and a rechargeable energy storage system.

(4) "Liquefied fuel motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that operates on one or any combination of the following:

(A) liquefied natural gas;

(B) butane;

(C) ethane; or

(D) propane.

(5) "Plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that draws propulsion energy from both gasoline or conventional diesel fuel and batteries that can be charged from an external electrical outlet.

SECTION 2. MOTOR VEHICLE MILEAGE FEE PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The department, in consultation with the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and comptroller of public accounts, by rule shall:

(1) establish the administrative framework needed to implement a system for assessing a motor vehicle mileage fee; and

(2) implement a pilot program to gather data regarding the feasibility of implementing a motor vehicle mileage fee using the established mileage fee framework.

(b) A person who owns an electric motor vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, a hybrid motor vehicle, or a liquefied fuel motor vehicle that is registered in Dallas or Tarrant County is eligible to participate in the pilot program. The pilot program must provide for optional participation and be available to the first 1,000 persons eligible to participate. A person participating in the pilot program may not be charged a fee for participating in the pilot program.

(c) The department must establish the administrative framework needed to implement a system for assessing a motor vehicle mileage fee not later than January 1, 2012. The pilot program must begin not later than January 1, 2012, and must end not later than July 15, 2012.

(d) The department, in consultation with the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and comptroller of public accounts, shall establish incentives for participation in the pilot program.

(e) A person who participates in the pilot program must have the mileage of the person's vehicle determined by an odometer reading that will occur in a manner specified by the department.

(f) In evaluating the feasibility of implementing a motor vehicle mileage fee, the department shall consider, to the extent possible:

(1) economic efficiency;

(2) long-term revenue generation;

(3) long-term revenue stability;

(4) charging fairness; and

(5) privacy concerns.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2014, the department shall submit a report to the legislature that includes recommendations regarding the feasibility of assessing a motor vehicle mileage fee in this state or another fee to replace the gas tax.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 31, 2014.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2011.