88(R) HB 3418 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
  88R21654 JAM-F
 
  By:  Canales, Wilson H.B.  No.  3418
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the implementation by the Texas Department of
  Transportation of a vehicle mileage user fee pilot program and a
  task force to assist in developing and evaluating the program.
               BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
               SECTION  1.    Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter Z to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER Z. VEHICLE MILEAGE USER FEE PILOT PROGRAM
               Sec.  201.2101.    DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
                           (1)    "Motor fuel taxes" means the motor fuel taxes
  imposed under Chapter 162, Tax Code.
                           (2)    "Pilot program" means the vehicle mileage user fee
  pilot program.
                           (3)    "Task force" means the vehicle mileage user fee
  task force.
               Sec.  201.2102.    TASK FORCE. (a)  The vehicle mileage user
  fee task force is established to guide the development and
  evaluation of the vehicle mileage user fee pilot program to assess
  the potential for mileage-based revenue as an alternative to the
  current system of taxing highway use through motor fuel taxes.
               (b)    The task force shall consist of seven members appointed
  as follows:
                           (1)    one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
                           (2)    one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
  representatives;
                           (3)    one member appointed by the chair of the standing
  committee of the house of representatives having primary
  jurisdiction over transportation;
                           (4)    one member appointed by the chair of the standing
  committee of the senate having primary jurisdiction over
  transportation; and
                           (5)    three members that represent the trucking
  industry, appointed by the governor.
               (c)    The task force shall:
                           (1)    conduct at least three public hearings to gather
  public comment on issues and concerns related to the pilot program;
                           (2)    make recommendations to the department on the
  design and on the criteria to be used to evaluate the pilot program
  and other alternative approaches to motor fuel taxes; and
                           (3)    evaluate the pilot program.
               (d)    In conducting hearings under Subsection (c)(1), the
  task force shall:
                           (1)    provide notice:
                                       (A)    in the manner provided by Chapter 551,
  Government Code; and
                                       (B)    on the department's Internet website; and
                           (2)    provide interested persons with an opportunity to
  submit their opinions orally and in writing.
               (e)    The department may create and maintain an Internet
  website to allow members of the public to submit comments
  electronically.
               (f)    On request, the department shall assist the task force
  in implementing this subchapter.
               Sec.  201.2103.    PILOT PROGRAM. (a)  The department, in
  consultation with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the
  Texas A&M Transportation Institute, shall develop and implement a
  statewide pilot program to assess a user fee on owners of motor
  vehicles that is based on the number of miles traveled on public
  highways in this state by those vehicles.
               (b)    The pilot program must:
                           (1)    include not more than 800 motor vehicles, the
  mileage of which will be measured by a variety of
  vehicle-mileage-counting strategies, including odometer readings,
  administered in a manner the department considers appropriate;
 

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()
Engrossed: ()