TITLE: Relating to authorizing an optional county fee for vehicle registration to fund certain transportation projects.

SUMMARY: Relating to authorizing an optional county fee for vehicle registration to fund certain transportation projects.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to authorizing an optional county fee for vehicle registration to fund certain transportation projects. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 502.4015 to read as follows: Sec. 502.4015. OPTIONAL COUNTY FEE FOR CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. (a) In addition to any other fee authorized under this chapter, the commissioners court of a county by order may impose an additional fee, not to exceed $10, for registering a vehicle in the county. (b) A vehicle that may be registered under this chapter without payment of a registration fee may be registered in a county imposing a fee under this section without payment of the additional fee. (c) A fee imposed under this section may take effect and be removed in accordance with the provisions of Section 502.401. (d) The county assessor-collector of a county imposing a fee under this section shall collect the additional fee for a vehicle when other fees imposed under this chapter are collected. The county may use the fee revenue only to fund a nontolled transportation project that: (1) relieves congestion; (2) improves safety; or (3) addresses air quality. (e) The department shall collect the additional fee on a vehicle that is owned by a resident of a county imposing a fee under this section and that, under this chapter, must be registered directly with the department. The department shall send all fees collected for a county under this subsection to the county treasurer for use as provided by Subsection (d). (f) The board shall adopt rules and develop forms necessary to administer registration by mail for a vehicle being registered in a county imposing a fee under this section. 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.