Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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77 th Texas Legislature
Authorizes the legislature to dedicate state revenue to the fund, but prohibits the legislature from dedicating
money to the fund from the collection of motor vehicle registration fees and taxes on motor fuels and
lubricants.
Provides that the legislature may authorize the commission to guarantee the payment of any obligations
and credit agreements issued and executed by the commission by pledging the full credit of the state to
that payment.
Requires that all obligations and related credit agreements to be issued and executed be submitted to the
attorney general for approval as to their legality.
Prohibits the inclusion of obligations or credit agreements under these provisions in the computation of the
limit on state debt payable from the general revenue fund.
Authorizes the legislature to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to expend, grant, or loan
money for the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or operation of turnpikes, toll roads, and toll bridges.
Removes provisions that require any money expended out of the state highway fund for toll projects to be
repaid to the fund from tolls or other turnpike revenue and that authorize such expenditures only for
projects of the Texas Turnpike Authority.
Raising the Speed Limit on Some Texas Highways - H.B. 299
by Representative Gallego
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
Current law provides a maximum lawful speed of 70 miles per hour in daytime for a vehicle on highways
outside urban areas. Ten western states with landscapes and population densities similar to the western
part of Texas, including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arizona, allow for a maximum speed limit of 75 miles
per hour.
Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to set a 75 miles per hour speed limit on parts of the
highway system located in a Texas county with a population density of less than 10 persons per square
mile.
Vehicle Registration Certificate as Proof of Ownership - H.B. 642
by Representatives Flores and Yvonne Davis
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapiro
Currently, when a vehicle is purchased through a loan, TxDOT issues the original title to the lender or lien
holder and a duplicate, non-negotiable title to the vehicle owner.
Removes the requirement that TxDOT issue non-negotiable titles and clarifies that a vehicle registration
certificate may be used to prove ownership.
Senate Research Center 309