BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 139

By: Perry

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law restricts the use of money in the state highway fund that is dedicated for public roadways by the Texas Constitution or by federal law by authorizing appropriation of such money in the fund only for the limited purposes of improving the state highway system, mitigating adverse environmental effects that result directly from construction or maintenance of a state highway, and policing the state highway system and administering state laws relating to traffic and safety on public roads. According to interested parties, almost $2 billion from the state highway fund was appropriated to agencies other than the Texas Department of Transportation in the most recent biennium. S.B. 139 seeks to remedy this situation by revising provisions relating to the use of money in the state highway fund that is restricted to use for public roadways.

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

S.B. 139 amends the Transportation Code to remove from the authorized uses of 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 state highway fund under federal law pertaining to highways, its use 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017, if the constitutional amendment prescribing the purposes for which revenue from motor vehicle registration fees, taxes on motor fuels and lubricants, and certain revenues received from the federal government may be used is approved by the voters.