H.B. No. 2223
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation on the
  impact of certain classifications of motor vehicle on the roads and
  bridges of this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "department" means the
  Texas Department of Transportation.
         SECTION 2.  STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The department, in
  consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, The
  University of Texas Center for Transportation Research, and
  transportation industry representatives, shall conduct a study on
  the impact on the roads and bridges of this state by motor vehicles
  classified as:
               (1)  passenger vehicles;
               (2)  commercial motor vehicles; and
               (3)  oversize or overweight vehicles.
         (b)  The study shall determine, for each classification of
  vehicle listed in Subsection (a) of this section:
               (1)  the number of vehicles that drive on the roads and
  bridges of this state each year;
               (2)  the number of miles driven on the roads and bridges
  of this state each year;
               (3)  the total revenue contribution from taxes and fees
  to the construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges of this
  state;
               (4)  the financial impact due to costs associated with:
                     (A)  construction and maintenance of the roads and
  bridges of this state; and
                     (B)  congestion on the roads and bridges of this
  state; and
               (5)  whether and by what amount the total revenue
  contribution determined under Subdivision (3) of this subsection
  exceeds or falls short of the financial impact determined under
  Subdivision (4) of this subsection.
         (c)  The study shall assess the overall economic benefits to
  the economy of this state of:
               (1)  commercial motor vehicles; and
               (2)  oversize or overweight vehicles.
         (d)  The study shall recommend one or more changes to
  existing tax or fee structures to ensure that vehicles of each
  classification listed under Subsection (a) of this section
  contribute revenue to fund the construction and maintenance of the
  roads and bridges of this state in an amount at least equal to the
  financial impact of the vehicles of that classification on those
  roads and bridges. The recommendations shall include:
               (1)  specific dollar amounts for taxes and fees for
  each classification of vehicle; and
               (2)  if applicable, new methods of structuring existing
  sources of revenue.
         (e)  Not later than December 1, 2022, the department shall
  submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
  legislature a written report on the findings of the study. The
  report must include recommendations for policy and statutory
  changes, including any proposed legislation, that are based on the
  results of the study.
         SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires May 1, 2023.
         SECTION 4.  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, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2223 was passed by the House on April
  23, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 123, Nays 23, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2223 was passed by the Senate on May
  19, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor