81R1429 KLA-D By: Leibowitz H.J.R. No. 13 A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating certain revenue derived from motor fuel taxes to the construction of public highways. 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. (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 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. (b) Subject to legislative appropriation, allocation, and direction: (1) three-fourths of the net revenue that is remaining after payment of all refunds allowed by law and expenses of collection and that is derived from all taxes, except gross production and ad valorem taxes, on motor fuels and lubricants used to propel motor vehicles over public highways shall be used for the sole purpose of constructing public highways; and (2) one-fourth of that net revenue shall be allocated to the available school fund. (c) Nothing contained in this section [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 dedicating three-fourths of the revenue derived from motor fuel taxes to the construction of public highways."