Texas Senate Bill SJR18

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/2/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/17/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/21/09

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit the Texas Transportation Commission, subject to legislative review and approval, to designate the area adjacent to a state highway project as a transportation finance zone and dedicating the proceeds of the state sales and use taxes imposed in a transportation finance zone to the Texas Mobility Fund for certain purposes.

Impact

The impact of SJR18 on state laws revolves around the financial mechanisms in place for funding transportation projects. By enabling the establishment of transportation finance zones and the dedicated use of sales tax revenues from these areas, the amendment would effectively create a new funding avenue for highway projects. This could lead to enhanced infrastructure and connectivity in Texas, particularly in regions experiencing growth or increased traffic demands. However, it also places the management of these zones under the purview of the Texas Transportation Commission and the legislature, potentially impacting local initiative.

Summary

SJR18 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow the Texas Legislature to authorize the Texas Transportation Commission to designate areas adjacent to state highway projects as transportation finance zones. This designation would be contingent upon legislative review and approval. If an area is designated as such, it would enable the dedication of proceeds from state sales and use taxes to the Texas Mobility Fund, which is intended for specific transportation-related purposes, including construction, reconstruction, or expansion of state highways.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SJR18 may stem from the centralization of authority it entails. Critics might argue that empowering state-level agencies to designate transportation finance zones potentially limits local control over infrastructure development and funding decisions. Additionally, the requirement for legislative approval could slow down the process of establishing these zones, which could be seen as a bottleneck in addressing urgent transportation needs. Proponents, however, may view this as a necessary oversight mechanism to ensure that such designations align with broader state transportation goals.