82R23186 AJZ-D
By: Harper-Brown H.B. No. 1669
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1669:
By: Bonnen C.S.H.B. No. 1669
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a motor vehicle mileage fee pilot
program for certain motor vehicles by the Texas Department of Motor
Vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Motor
Vehicles.
(2) "Electric motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle
that uses electricity as its only source of motor power.
(3) "Hybrid motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that
draws propulsion energy from both gasoline or conventional diesel
fuel and a rechargeable energy storage system.
(4) "Liquefied fuel motor vehicle" means a motor
vehicle that operates on one or any combination of the following:
(A) liquefied natural gas;
(B) butane;
(C) ethane; or
(D) propane.
(5) "Plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle" means a
motor vehicle that draws propulsion energy from both gasoline or
conventional diesel fuel and batteries that can be charged from an
external electrical outlet.
SECTION 2. MOTOR VEHICLE MILEAGE FEE PILOT PROGRAM. (a)
The department, in consultation with the Texas Department of
Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and comptroller of
public accounts, by rule shall:
(1) establish the administrative framework needed to
implement a system for assessing a motor vehicle mileage fee; and
(2) implement a pilot program to gather data regarding
the feasibility of implementing a motor vehicle mileage fee using
the established mileage fee framework.
(b) A person who owns an electric motor vehicle, a plug-in
hybrid electric motor vehicle, a hybrid motor vehicle, or a
liquefied fuel motor vehicle that is registered in Dallas or
Tarrant County is eligible to participate in the pilot program. The
pilot program must provide for optional participation and be
available to the first 1,000 persons eligible to participate. A
person participating in the pilot program may not be charged a fee
for participating in the pilot program.
(c) The department must establish the administrative
framework needed to implement a system for assessing a motor
vehicle mileage fee not later than January 1, 2012. The pilot
program must begin not later than January 1, 2012, and must end not
later than July 15, 2012.
(d) The department, in consultation with the Texas
Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and
comptroller of public accounts, shall establish incentives for
participation in the pilot program.
(e) A person who participates in the pilot program must have
the mileage of the person's vehicle determined by an odometer
reading that will occur in a manner specified by the department.
(f) In evaluating the feasibility of implementing a motor
vehicle mileage fee, the department shall consider, to the extent
possible:
(1) economic efficiency;
(2) long-term revenue generation;
(3) long-term revenue stability;
(4) charging fairness; and
(5) privacy concerns.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2014, the
department shall submit a report to the legislature that includes
recommendations regarding the feasibility of assessing a motor
vehicle mileage fee in this state or another fee to replace the gas
tax.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 31, 2014.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2011.