Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1728 Latest Draft

Bill / Comm Sub Version Filed 05/18/2021

                            87R26838 MP-F
 By: Schwertner, et al. S.B. No. 1728
 (Canales)
 Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1728:  No.


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the equalization for road use by and public charging
 infrastructure for alternatively fueled vehicles; authorizing a
 fee and a surcharge.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
 by adding Chapter 490I to read as follows:
 CHAPTER 490I. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION COUNCIL
 Sec. 490I.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council"
 means the Texas Transportation Electrification Council established
 by this chapter.
 Sec. 490I.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION. (a) The Texas
 Transportation Electrification Council is established.
 (b)  The council is composed of the chair of, or if not
 applicable, the administrative head of or a senior-level designee
 from, each of the following entities:
 (1)  the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
 (2)  the Electric Reliability Council of Texas;
 (3)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
 (4)  the State Energy Conservation Office;
 (5)  the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
 (6)  the Texas Department of Transportation;
 (7)  the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles;
 (8)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community
 Affairs;
 (9)  the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation;
 (10)  the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and
 (11)  the Texas Economic Development and Tourism
 Office.
 Sec. 490I.003.  PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS. (a) The
 council annually shall elect one member to serve as the presiding
 officer of the council.
 (a-1)  The executive director of the Texas Department of
 Transportation shall serve as the initial presiding officer of the
 council. This subsection expires September 1, 2023.
 (b)  The council shall hold at least four public meetings
 each year.
 Sec. 490I.004.  ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT; FUNDING. (a)
 The council is administratively attached to the Texas Department of
 Transportation.
 (b)  The council shall be funded using existing funds of the
 Texas Department of Transportation.
 Sec. 490I.0045.  ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
 ASSESSMENT. (a) Not later than March 1, 2022, the council shall
 prepare an assessment of existing and planned public electric
 vehicle charging infrastructure and associated technologies in
 this state using existing databases. The assessment must include
 the number and types of electric vehicle chargers at each location.
 (b)  The council shall use the assessment in developing the
 plan required by Section 490I.005.
 (c)  This section expires September 1, 2023.
 Sec. 490I.005.  ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
 PLAN. (a) The council shall:
 (1)  develop a comprehensive plan for the development
 of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and associated
 technologies in this state through the year 2040; and
 (2)  update the plan biennially.
 (b)  The plan must:
 (1)  include a phased implementation of the plan, in
 biennial increments, through the year 2040;
 (2)  identify areas in this state for which additional
 public electric vehicle charging infrastructure is needed to ensure
 that the vehicle choice of residents of this state is not
 constrained by a lack of access to adequate public electric vehicle
 charging infrastructure;
 (3)  provide for sufficient public electric vehicle
 charging infrastructure to meet and enable future demand for
 electric vehicles in this state that:
 (A)  ensures that adequate public electric
 vehicle charging infrastructure is available:
 (i)  with sufficient frequency and capacity
 to enable users of electric vehicles of various classes to travel
 border to border and community to community on interstate highways
 and other major roadways in this state;
 (ii)  along evacuation routes; and
 (iii)  in rural communities, multifamily and
 underserved communities, town centers, commercial and retail
 areas, parks and other publicly owned lands, and other areas that
 are in proximity to where local electric vehicle users live or work;
 (B)  is safe, dependable, serviceable, and
 operational;
 (C)  maximizes the benefits associated with
 transportation electrification;
 (D)  enhances commerce by ensuring an adequate
 distribution of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure is
 available throughout the state to stimulate lower cost and lower
 emissions from heavy duty trucking and delivery services;
 (E)  ensures adequate public electric vehicle
 charging capacity to facilitate commerce:
 (i)  at or near the borders of this state;
 (ii)  in or near airports, rail yards, and
 seaports; and
 (iii)  at warehouse complexes and truck
 stops;
 (F)  enhances accessibility of tourist areas to
 electric vehicle users; and
 (G)  covers any other areas identified by the
 council;
 (4)  stimulate competition, innovation, and consumer
 choice in public electric vehicle charging and related
 infrastructure and services and encourage private capital
 investment;
 (5)  specify the number and types of electric vehicle
 chargers per general location that are needed to meet the
 requirements prescribed by Subdivisions (2), (3), and (4);
 (6)  examine vehicle and charging infrastructure
 changes necessary to provide demand response functions and two-way
 electricity flow capability in order to allow vehicle to grid
 integration for cost savings, grid reliability, and resiliency; and
 (7)  provide for electric transportation corridors in
 and along Texas Department of Transportation rights-of-way that
 include the infrastructure needed for vehicle electrification,
 such as:
 (A)  a greatly expanded global positioning system
 network for vehicle location accuracy;
 (B)  advanced sensor networks for traffic;
 (C)  intelligent transportation services;
 (D)  connected vehicle applications; and
 (E)  improvements to energy infrastructure needed
 to provide adequate vehicle charging.
 (c)  In developing and updating the plan, the council:
 (1)  shall use, to the extent practicable, publicly
 available electric vehicle projections and models based on industry
 standards to determine, for each year, the percentage and number of
 electric vehicles by vehicle class that are expected on roadways in
 this state and the number of electric vehicle chargers that are
 needed to ensure that there is comprehensive and adequate access to
 public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in this state; and
 (2)  may rely on scenarios provided by the Electric
 Reliability Council of Texas or other information from appropriate
 sources for the percentage and number of electric vehicles by
 vehicle class on roadways in this state by year.
 Sec. 490I.006.  STATE AGENCY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. The
 council shall develop policy recommendations that state agencies
 may adopt to encourage the development of an adequate network of
 public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and associated
 technologies to meet the future electrified transportation needs in
 this state through the year 2040.
 Sec. 490I.007.  STAKEHOLDER INPUT. In performing the
 council's duties under this chapter, the council shall seek advice
 and input from:
 (1)  privately owned electric utilities;
 (2)  municipally owned electric utilities;
 (3)  electric cooperatives;
 (4)  state and local transportation and transit
 agencies;
 (5)  port authorities;
 (6)  warehousing and logistics centers;
 (7)  electric vehicle charging infrastructure
 companies;
 (8)  environmental groups;
 (9)  consumer advocates;
 (10)  motor vehicle manufacturers;
 (11)  nonprofit organizations developing electric
 vehicle policy;
 (12)  nonprofit organizations representing food or
 motor fuel providers;
 (13)  apartment associations;
 (14)  low-income community development corporations;
 (15)  nonprofit organizations that represent
 utilities, electric vehicle manufacturers, and charging companies;
 and
 (16)  interested members of the public.
 Sec. 490I.008.  AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT AND CONSULT WITH
 CERTAIN PERSONS. In performing the council's duties under this
 chapter, the council may:
 (1)  contract with experts, academic scholars, and
 other appropriate professionals; and
 (2)  consult with the Texas A&M Transportation
 Institute and institutions of higher education.
 Sec. 490I.0085.  INITIAL REPORT. (a) Not later than
 December 1, 2022, the council shall prepare and submit to the
 governor, the lieutenant governor, each member of the legislature,
 and relevant state and federal agencies a written report of the
 council's findings that includes:
 (1)  the assessment prepared under Section 490I.0045;
 (2)  the plan developed under Section 490I.005,
 including the phased implementation of the plan required by
 Subsection (b)(1) of that section; and
 (3)  the policy recommendations developed under
 Section 490I.006.
 (b)  This section expires September 1, 2025.
 Sec. 490I.009.  BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1
 of each even-numbered year, the council shall prepare and submit to
 the governor, the lieutenant governor, each member of the
 legislature, and relevant state and federal agencies a written
 report that includes:
 (1)  a summary of the progress made on the
 implementation of the plan developed under Section 490I.005;
 (2)  the biennial update to the plan required under
 Section 490I.005(a)(2); and
 (3)  any updates to the policy recommendations
 developed under Section 490I.006.
 Sec. 490I.010.  EXPIRATION.  This chapter expires and the
 council is abolished January 1, 2031.
 SECTION 2.  Section 502.198(a), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  Except as provided by Sections 502.058, 502.060,
 502.1911, 502.192, 502.356, and 502.357 and Subchapters
 [Subchapter] H and M, this section applies to all fees collected by
 a county assessor-collector under this chapter.
 SECTION 3.  Chapter 502, Transportation Code, is amended by
 adding Subchapter M to read as follows:
 SUBCHAPTER M. ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLE FEES
 Sec. 502.501.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
 (1)  "Alternatively fueled vehicle" means a motor
 vehicle that is capable of being powered by a source other than
 gasoline or diesel fuel.
 (2)  "Conventionally fueled vehicle" means a motor
 vehicle that is capable of being powered only by gasoline or diesel
 fuel.
 (3)  "Electric vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses
 electricity as its only source of motor power.
 (4)  "Hybrid electric vehicle" means a motor vehicle,
 including a plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, that is capable
 of being powered by both electricity and gasoline, diesel, or
 another type of fuel.
 (5)  "Natural gas vehicle" means a motor vehicle that
 is capable of being powered by compressed natural gas or liquefied
 natural gas as fuel.
 (6)  "Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle" means a vehicle
 that is capable of being:
 (A)  powered by a battery that drives an electric
 motor;
 (B)  powered by an internal combustion engine, or
 other propulsion source, that uses gasoline or diesel fuel; and
 (C)  recharged by plugging into an electrical
 outlet or electric vehicle charging station.
 Sec. 502.502.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter does not
 apply to:
 (1)  a hybrid electric vehicle that is not a plug-in
 hybrid electric vehicle;
 (2)  a natural gas vehicle; or
 (3)  a vehicle used exclusively to provide public
 transportation services.
 Sec. 502.503.  ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLE FEE.  (a)  In
 addition to other fees authorized under this chapter, at the time of
 application for registration or renewal of registration of an
 alternatively fueled vehicle, other than a vehicle subject to a fee
 under Subsection (b), the applicant shall pay an additional fee
 according to the gross weight of the vehicle, as follows:
 Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule  Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule
 Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule
 0-6,000 $190  0-6,000 $190
 0-6,000 $190
 6,001-10,000 $240  6,001-10,000 $240
 6,001-10,000 $240
 (b)  In addition to other fees authorized under this chapter,
 at the time of application for registration or renewal of
 registration of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the applicant
 shall pay an additional fee according to the gross weight of the
 vehicle, as follows:
 Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule  Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule
 Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule
 0-6,000 $30  0-6,000 $30
 0-6,000 $30
 6,001-10,000 $40  6,001-10,000 $40
 6,001-10,000 $40
 Sec 502.504.  MILEAGE FEE ALTERNATIVE.  (a)  In lieu of
 paying a fee under Section 502.503, a person who applies for
 registration or registration renewal of an alternatively fueled
 vehicle that is equipped with an odometer may pay an annual mileage
 fee.  Notwithstanding Section 548.102, a person may have an
 alternatively fueled vehicle subject to that section inspected at
 the end of a one-year period for the purposes of paying a fee under
 this section.
 (b)  The annual mileage fee for an alternatively fueled
 vehicle, other than a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, that weighs
 6,000 pounds or less is:
 Annual Mileage Fee Annual Mileage Fee
Annual Mileage Fee
 3,000 miles or less $30 3,000 miles or less $30
3,000 miles or less $30
 3,001 to 6,000 miles $70 3,001 to 6,000 miles $70
3,001 to 6,000 miles $70
 6,001 to 9,000 miles $110 6,001 to 9,000 miles $110
6,001 to 9,000 miles $110
 9,001 to 12,000 miles $150 9,001 to 12,000 miles $150
9,001 to 12,000 miles $150
 12,001 miles or more $190 12,001 miles or more $190
12,001 miles or more $190
 (c)  The annual mileage fee for an alternatively fueled
 vehicle, other than a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, that weighs
 more than 6,000 pounds is:
 Annual Mileage Fee Annual Mileage Fee
Annual Mileage Fee
 3,000 miles or less $40 3,000 miles or less $40
3,000 miles or less $40
 3,001 to 6,000 miles $90 3,001 to 6,000 miles $90
3,001 to 6,000 miles $90
 6,001 to 9,000 miles $140 6,001 to 9,000 miles $140
6,001 to 9,000 miles $140
 9,001 to 12,000 miles $190 9,001 to 12,000 miles $190
9,001 to 12,000 miles $190
 12,001 miles or more $240 12,001 miles or more $240
12,001 miles or more $240
 (d)  The annual mileage fee for a plug-in hybrid electric
 vehicle that weighs 6,000 pounds or less is:
 Annual Mileage Fee Annual Mileage Fee
Annual Mileage Fee
 3,000 miles or less $5 3,000 miles or less $5
3,000 miles or less $5
 3,001 to 6,000 miles $10 3,001 to 6,000 miles $10
3,001 to 6,000 miles $10
 6,001 to 9,000 miles $20 6,001 to 9,000 miles $20
6,001 to 9,000 miles $20
 9,001  miles or more $30 9,001  miles or more $30
9,001  miles or more $30
 (e)  The annual mileage fee for a plug-in hybrid electric
 vehicle that weighs more than 6,000 pounds is:
 Annual Mileage Fee Annual Mileage Fee
Annual Mileage Fee
 3,000 miles or less $10 3,000 miles or less $10
3,000 miles or less $10
 3,001 to 6,000 miles $20 3,001 to 6,000 miles $20
3,001 to 6,000 miles $20
 6,001 to 9,000 miles $30 6,001 to 9,000 miles $30
6,001 to 9,000 miles $30
 9,001 miles or more $40 9,001 miles or more $40
9,001 miles or more $40
 Sec. 502.505.  ELECTRIC VEHICLE SURCHARGE. (a)  In addition
 to other fees authorized under this chapter, at the time of
 application for registration or renewal of registration of an
 electric vehicle, the applicant shall pay a $10 surcharge.
 (b)  Each surcharge collected under this section shall be
 deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund and may be used
 only for the operations of the Texas Transportation Electrification
 Council established under Chapter 490I, Government Code.  This
 subsection expires September 1, 2030.
 Sec. 502.506.  ANNUAL FEE ADJUSTMENT. (a) On January 1 of
 each year, the department shall:
 (1)  after September 1, 2030, increase the fees
 authorized under Sections 502.503 and 502.504 as necessary to
 adjust for inflation as determined by the National Highway
 Construction Cost Index; and
 (2)  if the federal government collects a tax on an
 alternatively fueled vehicle, decrease the fees authorized under
 Sections 502.503 and 502.504 for the type of vehicle subject to the
 tax.
 (b)  A fee decreased under Subsection (a)(2) for a fee
 authorized under:
 (1)  Section 502.503 must be decreased by an amount
 equal to the amount of the tax collected by the federal government;
 and
 (2)  Section 502.504 must be decreased by an amount
 that reflects the amount of the tax reduced proportionally
 according to the miles traveled by the vehicle during the previous
 year.
 (c)  The department shall post the planned fee increases or
 decreases under Subsection (a) on the department's Internet website
 not later than November 1 of the previous year.
 Sec. 502.507.  ALLOCATION OF FEES. Except as otherwise
 provided by this subchapter, each fee and surcharge collected under
 this subchapter shall be deposited to the credit of the state
 highway fund.
 Sec. 502.508.  RULES. (a) The department shall adopt rules
 necessary to administer this subchapter.
 (b)  The Department of Public Safety, in consultation with
 the department, shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section
 502.504. A violation of a rule adopted under this subsection is
 considered to be a violation of Chapter 548 for purposes of Section
 548.405 and Subchapter I of that chapter.
 SECTION 4.  Section 548.253, Transportation Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 548.253.  INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED ON COMPLETION OF
 INSPECTION. An inspection station or inspector, on completion of
 an inspection, shall electronically submit to the department's
 inspection database:
 (1)  the vehicle identification number of the inspected
 vehicle and an indication of whether the vehicle passed the
 inspections required by this chapter; [and]
 (2)  odometer readings as required by department rule;
 and
 (3)  any additional information required by rule by the
 department for the type of vehicle inspected.
 SECTION 5.  The Texas Transportation Electrification
 Council shall submit its first report under Section 490I.009,
 Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1,
 2024.
 SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.

 Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule

 0-6,000 $190

 6,001-10,000 $240

 Weight Classification in pounds Fee Schedule

 0-6,000 $30

 6,001-10,000 $40

Annual Mileage Fee

3,000 miles or less $30

3,001 to 6,000 miles $70

6,001 to 9,000 miles $110

9,001 to 12,000 miles $150

12,001 miles or more $190

Annual Mileage Fee

3,000 miles or less $40

3,001 to 6,000 miles $90

6,001 to 9,000 miles $140

9,001 to 12,000 miles $190

12,001 miles or more $240

Annual Mileage Fee

3,000 miles or less $5

3,001 to 6,000 miles $10

6,001 to 9,000 miles $20

9,001  miles or more $30

Annual Mileage Fee

3,000 miles or less $10

3,001 to 6,000 miles $20

6,001 to 9,000 miles $30

9,001 miles or more $40