84R1612 CJC-D
By: Metcalf H.J.R. No. 53
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating certain revenue
derived from the tax imposed on the sale of motor vehicles to the
state highway fund.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 7-c to read as follows:
Sec. 7-c. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, the net revenue derived from the tax authorized by Chapter
152, Tax Code, or its successor, and imposed on the sale of a motor
vehicle sold in this state shall be deposited to the credit of the
state highway fund and may be appropriated only:
(1) for a purpose authorized by Section 7-a, Article
VIII, of this constitution; or
(2) to repay the principal and interest on general
obligation bonds issued as authorized by Section 49-p, Article III,
of this constitution.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to any
revenue described by that subsection that, under general law in
effect on January 1, 2015, was required to be deposited to the
credit of a fund outside the general revenue fund from which money
could be appropriated only for a purpose that decreases the rates
of, or reduces reliance on, ad valorem taxes imposed to fund public
schools. To the extent general law continues to require the deposit
of that revenue in that manner and limit the appropriation of that
revenue to that purpose, the requirement and limitation prevail
over Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2015, dedicating certain revenue derived from the
tax imposed on the sale of a motor vehicle sold in this state to the
state highway fund.
(b) The changes to Article VIII of this constitution made by
the amendment take effect September 1, 2026.
(c) Beginning with the state fiscal year beginning on
September 1, 2026, the legislature may not appropriate any revenue
to which Section 7-c(a), Article VIII, of this constitution applies
for any purpose other than a purpose described by Section 7-c(a),
Article VIII, of this constitution.
(d) In each state fiscal year that begins on or after
September 1, 2017, but before September 1, 2026, the legislature
shall decrease in equal increments each year the amount of revenue
to which Section 7-c(a), Article VIII, of this constitution applies
that is appropriated for any purpose other than a purpose described
by Section 7-c(a), Article VIII, of this constitution as necessary
to comply with Subsection (c) of this temporary provision beginning
September 1, 2026.
(e) This temporary provision expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment dedicating certain
revenue derived from the tax imposed on a sale of a motor vehicle
sold in this state to the state highway fund."