88R1518 AMF-F     By: Ortega H.B. No. 78       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authorization by referendum of an optional county   fee on vehicle registration in certain counties.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 502.4021 to read as follows:          Sec. 502.4021.  OPTIONAL COUNTY FEE FOR TRANSPORTATION   PROJECTS APPROVED BY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. (a) This   section applies only to a county that borders the United Mexican   States and contains a municipality that unilaterally created a   regional mobility authority.          (b)  The commissioners court of a county by order may impose,   in addition to any fee imposed under Section 502.402 or another   provision of this chapter, a fee of not more than $10 for a vehicle   registered in the county if approved by a majority of the qualified   voters of the county voting at an election, which the commissioners   court may order and hold for that purpose.          (c)  A vehicle that may be registered under this chapter   without payment of a registration fee may be registered under this   section without payment of the additional fee.          (d)  A fee imposed under this section may take effect and be   removed in accordance with the requirements of Section 502.401.          (e)  The additional fee shall be collected for a vehicle when   other fees imposed under this chapter are collected.          (f)  The fee revenue collected shall be sent to a regional   mobility authority located in the county to fund long-term   transportation projects in the county that are:                (1)  consistent with the purposes specified by Section   7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution; and                (2)  included in a plan approved by the metropolitan   planning organization that serves the county.          (g)  The department shall adopt rules necessary to   administer registration 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.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2023.