BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3835

By: Isaac

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the state recognizes ethanol and biodiesel as alternative fuels, and current law allows state agencies to purchase motor vehicles fueled by ethanol or biodiesel to satisfy certain requirements for obtaining a mixed fuel source motor vehicle fleet. Interested parties note, however, that ethanol has been shown to be a less efficient alternative fuel and has been proven to cause internal damage to a vehicle. H.B. 3835 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3835 amends the Government Code to prohibit a state agency from purchasing or leasing a vehicle that uses ethanol or ethanol/gasoline blends of 85 percent or greater. The bill removes the authorization for a state agency to purchase or lease a vehicle designed or used primarily for the transportation of individuals that has a wheelbase of up to 116 inches or SAE net horsepower of up to 280 if the vehicle will be converted so that it uses biodiesel or biodiesel/diesel blends of 20 percent or greater.

H.B. 3835 postpones from September 30, 2010, to September 30, 2025, the deadline by which a state agency that operates a fleet of more than 15 motor vehicles, excluding law enforcement and emergency vehicles, is required to have a fleet consisting of vehicles of which at least 50 percent use specified alternative fuels and removes from the types of alternative fuels specified for compliance with such requirement methanol or methanol/gasoline blends of 85 percent or greater and biodiesel and biodiesel/diesel blends of 20 percent or greater. The bill removes the requirements for a state agency, in its annual financial report to the legislature regarding the agency's progress in achieving percentage requirements for vehicles using alternative fuels, to itemize its use of, among other alternative fuels, biodiesel or biodiesel/diesel blends of 20 percent or greater and to provide the information reasonably needed to determine the air quality benefits from use of alternative fuels. The bill repeals a provision authorizing the comptroller of public accounts to reduce a percentage or waive the percentage requirements for vehicles using alternative fuels for a state agency on receipt of certification regarding the unavailability of specified alternative fuels.

H.B. 3835 repeals Section 2158.005(e), Government Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.