relating to the financing of state highways and the Trans-Texas Corridor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. TRANSPORTATION FUNDING REPORT. Subchapter A,
Chapter 222, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section
222.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 222.004. FUNDING REPORT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. (a) The
department annually shall compile a report for each district
identifying the total amount of obligated funds and the total
amount of discretionary funds available for the district.
(b) Not later than October 1, the department shall
distribute copies of the report under Subsection (a) to each city,
county, and state elected official in the district.
SECTION 2. MORATORIUM ON TOLLS BY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION. The Texas Department of Transportation may not
impose a toll on any portion of a state highway or roadway that did
not have a toll in effect on or before the effective date of this
Act.
SECTION 3. MORATORIUM ON DEVELOPMENT OF TRANS-TEXAS
CORRIDOR. The Texas Department of Transportation and any other
person may not use state, federal, or other funds to implement the
plan for the Trans-Texas Corridor.
SECTION 4. SELECT COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAY FINANCING. (a) A
select committee is established to perform a comprehensive study of
the Trans-Texas Corridor plan and the use of tolls, bonds, and other
revenue sources for the financing of state highway and roadway
construction and maintenance.
(b) The committee shall be composed of 15 members. Five
members shall be appointed by the governor, five members shall be
appointed by the lieutenant governor, and five members shall be
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The
members of the committee shall elect one member as presiding
officer. The committee shall hold meetings and public hearings at
the call of the presiding officer. The committee shall make a
complete report, including findings and recommendations and drafts
of any legislation considered necessary, available to the public
not later than October 1, 2006. Before October 1, 2006, copies of
the report shall be delivered to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) This section and Sections 2 and 3 of this Act expire
September 1, 2007.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.