By: Keffer H.B. No. 1336
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to funding for state and county roads affected in areas of
increased energy production.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 256, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter C to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM.
Sec. 256.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Fund" means the transportation infrastructure
fund established under this subchapter.
(2) "Transportation infrastructure project" means the
construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of transportation
infrastructure intended to alleviate degradation caused by the
exploration, development, or production of oil or gas.
(3) "Program" means the transportation infrastructure
grant program.
Sec. 256.102. TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUND. (a) The
transportation infrastructure fund is a special fund outside the
state treasury to be administered by the department. The fund
consists of:
(1) money transferred or deposited to the credit of
the fund by law;
(2) the proceeds of any fee or tax imposed by this
state that the legislature by statute dedicates for deposit to the
credit of the fund;
(3) any other revenue that the legislature by statute
dedicates for deposit to the credit of the fund; and
(4)
interest earned on the balance of the fund.
(b) Money in the fund may only be appropriated to the
department for the purposes of this subchapter.
(c) The department may be appropriated no more than
one-tenth of the balance of the fund to administer the program.
(d) An initial deposit of $1,400,000,000 shall be
appropriated from the economic stabilization fund to the
Transportation Infrastructure Fund for the state fiscal year
beginning September 1, 2013.
Sec. 256.103. TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) The department shall establish and administer a
transportation infrastructure grant program to make grants for
state or county roads affected in areas of increased energy
production for transportation infrastructure projects.
(b) The department shall ensure that at least fifty percent
of the fund shall be distributed for the purpose construction,
reconstruction, or maintenance of county transportation
infrastructure grant projects.
(c) The department shall develop criteria for the
distribution of funds for county transportation infrastructure
grant projects including but not limited to:
(1) Proximity to major regions of oil and gas
development;
(2) Financial need;
(3) Consideration based on proportionality to the
number of oil and gas well completions performed in that county
during the previous two years.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.