By: Ortega, Ordaz, González of El Paso, H.B. No. 78
Lujan, Moody, et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authorization by referendum of an optional county
fee on vehicle registration in certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 502.402(b-1), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b-1) The commissioners court of a county described by
Subsection (a)(1) [(a)] with a population of less than 700,000 or a
county described by Subsection (a)(2) or (3) may increase the
additional fee to an amount that does not exceed $20 if approved by
a majority of the qualified voters of the county voting on the issue
at a referendum election, which the commissioners court may order
and hold for that purpose.
SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.4021 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.4021. OPTIONAL COUNTY FEE FOR TRANSPORTATION
PROJECTS APPROVED BY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. (a) This
section applies only to a county that borders the United Mexican
States and contains a municipality that unilaterally created a
regional mobility authority.
(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may impose,
in addition to any fee imposed under Section 502.402 or another
provision of this chapter, a fee of not more than $10 for a vehicle
registered in the county if approved by a majority of the qualified
voters of the county voting at an election, which the commissioners
court may order and hold for that purpose.
(c) A vehicle that may be registered under this chapter
without payment of a registration fee may be registered under this
section without payment of the additional fee.
(d) A fee imposed under this section may take effect and be
removed in accordance with the requirements of Section 502.401.
(e) The additional fee shall be collected for a vehicle when
other fees imposed under this chapter are collected.
(f) The fee revenue collected shall be sent to a regional
mobility authority located in the county to fund long-term
transportation projects in the county that are:
(1) consistent with the purposes specified by Section
7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution; and
(2) included in a plan approved by the metropolitan
planning organization that serves the county.
(g) The department shall adopt rules necessary to
administer registration for a vehicle being registered in a county
imposing a fee under this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.