81R4623 MTB-D
By: Rodriguez H.J.R. No. 122
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the expenditure of
motor vehicle fuel taxes and registration fees for passenger rail,
transit, and freight rail.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7-a. Subject to legislative appropriation, allocation
and direction, all net revenues remaining after payment of all
refunds allowed by law and expenses of collection derived from
motor vehicle registration fees, and all taxes, except gross
production and ad valorem taxes, on motor fuels and lubricants used
to propel motor vehicles over public roadways, shall be used for the
sole purpose of acquiring rights-of-way, constructing,
maintaining, and policing such public roadways, and for the
administration of such laws as may be prescribed by the Legislature
pertaining to the supervision of traffic and safety on such roads;
and for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating
passenger rail, transit, and freight rail; [and for the payment of
the principal and interest on county and road district bonds or
warrants voted or issued prior to January 2, 1939, and declared
eligible prior to January 2, 1945, for payment out of the County and
Road District Highway Fund under existing law;] provided, however,
that one-fourth (1/4) of such net revenue from the motor fuel tax
shall be allocated to the Available School Fund; and, provided,
however, that the net revenue derived by counties from motor
vehicle registration fees shall never be less than the maximum
amounts allowed to be retained by each County and the percentage
allowed to be retained by each County under the laws in effect on
January 1, 1945. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as
authorizing the pledging of the State's credit for any purpose.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment to allow the
expenditure of motor vehicle fuel taxes and registration fees to
construct, maintain, and operate passenger rail, transit, and
freight rail."