Bill Text: TX HB1698 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Relating to authorizing an optional county fee on vehicle registration in certain counties to be used for transportation projects.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-14 - Effective on 9/1/21 [HB1698 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB1698-Engrossed.html

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By: Raney, Kacal, Canales H.B. No. 1698

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an optional county fee on vehicle registration in
certain counties to be used for transportation projects.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 502.402, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (a), (b), (b-1), and (e) and adding
Subsection (e-1) to read as follows:
(a) This section applies only to:
(1) a county that:
(A) borders the United Mexican States; and
(B) has a population of more than 250,000; [and]
(2) a county that has a population of more than 1.5
million that is coterminous with a regional mobility authority;
(3) a county other than a county described by
Subdivision (1) or (2) that is part of a regional mobility
authority; and
(4) a county:
(A) that has a population of more than 320,000;
(B) that does not border the United Mexican
States; and
(C) in which a port authority is authorized to
issue permits for oversize or overweight vehicles under Chapter
623.
(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may impose
an additional fee for a vehicle registered in the county. Except as
provided by Subsection (b-1), the fee may not exceed $10. In a
county described by Subsection (a)(3), the fee must be approved by a
majority of the qualified voters of the county voting on the issue
at a referendum election, which the commissioners court may order
and hold for that purpose.
(b-1) The commissioners court of a county described by
Subsection (a) [with a population of less than 700,000] may
increase the additional fee to an amount that does not exceed $20 if
approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the county voting
on the issue at a referendum election, which the commissioners
court may order and hold for that purpose.
(e) The additional fee shall be collected for a vehicle when
other fees imposed under this chapter are collected. Except as
otherwise provided by Subsection (e-1), the [The] fee revenue
collected shall be:
(1) sent to a regional mobility authority located in
the county to fund long-term transportation projects in the county
that are consistent with the purposes specified by Section 7-a,
Article VIII, Texas Constitution; or
(2) if there is no regional mobility authority located
in the county, used by the county only to fund long-term
transportation projects in the county that are consistent with the
purposes specified by Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas
Constitution.
(e-1) If a county described by Subsection (a)(1), other than
a county in which a vehicle is required to pass an emissions
inspection, has been authorized to increase the amount of the fee
under Subsection (b-1), 50 percent of the additional revenue
collected as authorized by that subsection shall be sent to the
county treasurer of the county to be credited to the county road and
bridge fund.
SECTION 2. 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, 2021.