83R7255 JAM-F
By: Lavender H.B. No. 1485
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to money allocated under the federal-aid highway program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 222, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 222.036 to read as follows:
Sec. 222.036. FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAM OPT-OUT. (a) To
the extent permitted by federal law, the governor shall waive the
state's right to receive money allocated under the federal-aid
highway program and instead elect to receive the portion of the
taxes appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund under Section 9503,
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that is attributable to highway
users in the state, as calculated by the federal law permitting the
waiver and election.
(b) A waiver made under Subsection (a) must comply with all
applicable federal requirements associated with the waiver.
SECTION 2. (a) The comptroller shall conduct a study of
how the state might benefit from withdrawing from the federal-aid
highway program. The study conducted under this section must
identify and analyze:
(1) methods by which the state can withdraw from the
federal-aid highway program, including methods that are not
dependent on approval of the federal government; and
(2) the costs and benefits associated with each
method.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2015, the comptroller shall
submit to the legislature and the presiding officers of the
standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives
that have jurisdiction over issues related to transportation a
report containing a summary of the study conducted under Subsection
(a) of this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.