HJR58 - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of money in the state highway fund for transit-oriented projects.

  89R1586 CMO-D     By: Bucy H.J.R. No. 58       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of money   in the state highway fund for transit-oriented projects.          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, 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 constructing and maintaining transit-oriented projects   [ the 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.  The following temporary provision is added to   the Texas Constitution:           TEMPORARY PROVISION.   (a)   This temporary provision applies   to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature,   Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the use of money in the state   highway fund for transit-oriented projects.           (b)     The amendments to Section 7-a, Article VIII, of this   constitution apply only in connection with a state fiscal biennium   that begins on or after September 1, 2027.           (c)  This temporary provision expires September 2, 2027.          SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.   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 transit-oriented projects."