87R19186 AJZ-D

By: Raney, Kacal H.B. No. 1698

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1698:

By: Ashby C.S.H.B. No. 1698

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an optional county fee on vehicle registration in certain counties to be used for transportation projects.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 502.402(a), (b), (b-1), and (e), Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) This section applies only to:

(1) a county that:

(A) borders the United Mexican States; and

(B) has a population of more than 250,000; [and]

(2) a county that has a population of more than 1.5 million that is coterminous with a regional mobility authority; and

(3) a county other than a county described by Subdivision (1) or (2) that is part of a regional mobility authority.

(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may impose an additional fee for a vehicle registered in the county. Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the fee may not exceed $10. In a county described by Subsection (a)(3), the fee must be approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the county voting on the issue at a referendum election, which the commissioners court may order and hold for that purpose.

(b-1) The commissioners court of a county described by Subsection (a) [with a population of less than 700,000] may increase the additional fee to an amount that does not exceed $20 if approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the county voting on the issue at a referendum election, which the commissioners court may order and hold for that purpose.

(e) The additional fee shall be collected for a vehicle when other fees imposed under this chapter are collected. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the [The] fee revenue collected shall be sent to a regional mobility authority located in the county to fund long-term transportation projects in the county that are consistent with the purposes specified by Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution. If a county described by Subsection (a)(1), other than a county in which a vehicle is required to pass an emissions inspection, has been authorized to increase the amount of the fee under Subsection (b-1), 50 percent of the additional revenue collected as authorized by that subsection shall be sent to the county treasurer of the county to be credited to the county road and bridge fund.

SECTION 2. 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, 2021.