SENATE BILL 703
By Massey
HOUSE BILL 736
By Vital
HB0736
002684
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AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 9; Title 54 and Title 55, relative to
transportation infrastructure funding.
WHEREAS, transportation is a priority to the state of Tennessee, and depleting revenue
is a vital problem; and
WHEREAS, due to new vehicles becoming more energy efficient, it is taking less gas to
drive the same distance, and therefore, less gasoline tax is being collected; and
WHEREAS, the cost of building roads is ever increasing; and
WHEREAS, the State's population is rising and visitors to the State are putting more
people on the road causing greater wear and tear and affecting resurfacing needs on the State's
roads and bridges; now, therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STAT E OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1.
(a) The Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR)
shall conduct a study and prepare a report on recommendations for establishing
sustainable funding sources that meet this state's future transportation infrastructure
needs.
(b) The study and report must:
(1) Examine overall road, bridge, and other transportation infrastructure
needs of this state;
(2) Identify measures to increase revenue to meet the transportation
infrastructure needs of this state in the long-term future;
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(3) Identify alternative sources to current motor fuel-based taxes and
vehicle registration fees to supplement the decreases in transportation
infrastructure funding due to vehicles becoming more fuel efficient or using no
fuel; and
(4) Survey funding sources and programs used by at least three (3) other
states to address their challenges in establishing sustainable transportation
infrastructure funding.
(c) All appropriate state departments and agencies shall provide assistance to
TACIR in connection with the study required by subsection (a).
(d) On or before January 15, 2026, TACIR shall report its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the chair of the committee of
the house of representatives having jurisdiction over transportation matters, the chair of
the transportation and safety committee of the senate, and the legislative librarian.
(e) It is the legislative intent that this study must be conducted from TACIR's
existing resources.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.