By: Canales, Goldman, Cain, Lozano, Hunter, H.J.R. No. 144
et al.
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of money
in the state highway fund for roadways for seaports, airports,
spaceports, land ports of entry, and international bridges.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7-a. Subject to legislative appropriation, allocation
and direction, all net revenues remaining after payment of all
refunds allowed by law and expenses of collection derived from
motor vehicle registration fees, [and] all taxes, except gross
production and ad valorem taxes, on motor fuels and lubricants used
to propel motor vehicles over public roadways, and all other
revenue dedicated by the Legislature specifically for a purpose
described by this section that is not otherwise dedicated by this
constitution shall be used for the sole purpose of acquiring
rights-of-way, constructing, maintaining, and policing such public
roadways, and for the administration of such laws as may be
prescribed by the Legislature pertaining to the supervision of
traffic and safety on such roads; and for the purpose of
constructing and maintaining roadways for seaports, airports,
spaceports, land ports of entry, and international bridges [payment
of the principal and interest on county and road district bonds or
warrants voted or issued prior to January 2, 1939, and declared
eligible prior to January 2, 1945, for payment out of the County and
Road District Highway Fund under existing law]; provided, however,
that one-fourth (1/4) of such net revenue from the motor fuel tax
shall be allocated to the Available School Fund; and, provided,
however, that the net revenue derived by counties from motor
vehicle registration fees shall never be less than the maximum
amounts allowed to be retained by each County and the percentage
allowed to be retained by each County under the laws in effect on
January 1, 1945. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as
authorizing the pledging of the State's credit for any purpose.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the use of
money in the state highway fund for roadways for seaports,
airports, spaceports, land ports of entry, and international
bridges."