6/8/09-A bill died in a House committee that sought to allow counties to decide whether to increase the fuel tax by a dime per gallon. The Senate previously approved it.
SB855 called for permitting Texas counties in the biggest metro areas to hold referendums allowing voters to determine if the tax on gas and diesel should increase by 10 cents per gallon.
Senate lawmakers approved a version of the bill that called for county commissioners in Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and a few other metro areas to pursue elections. Voters would have been asked to endorse a local fuel tax or raise parking and vehicle fees.
The version of the bill in the House called for allowing counties in 85 percent of the state to call for elections allowing voters to cast ballots on a one-time, 10-cent fuel tax boost. Ballots would have specified what projects the money would be used for, as well as their price tag and completion dates.
All revenues would have been used for local projects. Currently, 25 percent of revenue collected from the state’s fuel tax is routed to education.
The bill prohibited using any revenue from the county fuel tax for toll projects.

5/20/09-A bill expected to receive consideration on the floor of the House Thursday, May 21, would allow counties to decide whether to increase the fuel tax by a dime per gallon.
SB855 would permit Texas counties in the biggest metro areas to hold referendums allowing voters to determine if the tax on gas and diesel should increase by 10 cents per gallon. If approved by House lawmakers, it would head back to the Senate for consideration of House changes before advancing to the governor’s desk.
The most likely scenario is the bill would be diverted to a conference committee to work on hashing out differences between the House and Senate versions.
Senate lawmakers approved a version of the bill that called for county commissioners in Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and a few other metro areas to pursue elections. Voters would be asked to endorse a local fuel tax or raise parking and vehicle fees.
The current version of the bill would allow counties in 85 percent of the state to call for elections allowing voters to cast ballots on a one-time, 10-cent fuel tax boost. Ballots would specify what projects the money would be used for, as well as their price tag and completion dates.
All revenues would be used for local projects. Currently, 25 percent of revenue collected from the state’s fuel tax is routed to education.
The bill would prohibit using any revenue from the county fuel tax for toll projects.