Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

________________________ TRANSPORTATION
77 th Texas Legislature
Requires the comptroller, on or before October 15 of each year, to distribute to counties money
appropriated for the special county road assistance program.
Authorizes money appropriated to the program to be used only for the support of the county road system,
including uses specified by law for revenues from the county and road district highway fund.
Amends the Transportation Code to prohibit the comptroller from depositing tax receipts or other money to
the credit of the county and road district highway fund, except as provided by law for the allocation of
gasoline tax receipts.
Under 21 Driver’s Licenses Have New Appearance - S.B. 1213
by Senator Zaffirini
House Sponsor: Representative Gutierrez
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) believes that a vertical driver's license would be more effective in
preventing underage drinking than current driver's licenses that show the person in profile.
Changes the requirement that provisional licenses issued to minors under 18 years of age show the photo
of the person in profile to a photo of the entire face. Requires DPS to orient information on licenses issued
to persons under the age of 21 so that the license can be clearly distinguished.
Texas Mobility Fund for Transportation Infrastructure - S.J.R. 16
by Senator Shapiro
House Sponsors: Representative Brimer, et al.
Currently, the state uses a "pay as you go" model to fund infrastructure projects. Under this system, Texas
is only able to fund approximately 36 percent of identified and needed projects. During the last seven
years, vehicle miles traveled on Texas roads have increased 4.1 percent annually, indicating a substantial
increase in traffic and the need for additional roads and road improvements. The lack of adequate funding
for transportation infrastructure suggests the need to establish other funding mechanisms. S.J.R. 16
requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment creating the Texas Mobility Fund as a
revolving fund and authorizing the use of money in the fund for transportation projects.
Amends the Texas Constitution to create the Texas Mobility Fund (fund) in the state treasury to be
administered by the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) as a revolving fund to provide a
method of financing the construction, reconstruction, acquisition, and expansion of state highways.
Authorizes the use of money in the fund to provide participation by the state in the payment of a portion of
the costs of constructing and providing publicly owned toll roads and other public transportation projects
and authorizes the commission to issue and sell state obligations payable from and secured by a pledge of
and lien on money in the fund.
Senate Research Center 308