87R7028 BEE-F
By: Nichols S.B. No. 1463
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation on the
impact of certain classifications of motor vehicle on the roads and
bridges of this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "department" means the
Texas Department of Transportation.
SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The department, in
consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, The
University of Texas Center for Transportation Research, and
transportation industry representatives, shall conduct a study on
the impact on the roads and bridges of this state by motor vehicles
classified as:
(1) passenger vehicles;
(2) commercial motor vehicles; and
(3) oversize or overweight vehicles.
(b) The study shall determine, for each classification of
vehicle listed in Subsection (a) of this section:
(1) the number of vehicles that drive on the roads and
bridges of this state each year;
(2) the number of miles driven on the roads and bridges
of this state each year;
(3) the total revenue contribution from taxes and fees
to the construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges of this
state;
(4) the financial impact due to costs associated with:
(A) construction and maintenance of the roads and
bridges of this state; and
(B) congestion on the roads and bridges of this
state; and
(5) whether and by what amount the total revenue
contribution determined under Subdivision (3) of this subsection
exceeds or falls short of the financial impact determined under
Subdivision (4) of this subsection.
(c) The study shall recommend one or more changes to
existing tax or fee structures to ensure that vehicles of each
classification listed under Subsection (a) of this section
contribute revenue to fund the construction and maintenance of the
roads and bridges of this state in an amount at least equal to the
financial impact of the vehicles of that classification on those
roads and bridges. The recommendations shall include:
(1) specific dollar amounts for taxes and fees for
each classification of vehicle; and
(2) if applicable, new methods of structuring existing
sources of revenue.
(d) Not later than November 1, 2022, the department shall
submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
legislature a written report on the findings of the study. The
report must include recommendations for policy and statutory
changes, including any proposed legislation, that are based on the
results of the study.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires May 1, 2023.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2021.