CCS HS SCS SB 915, 710 & 907 -- TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

This bill repeals the expiration date on the six-cent motor fuel
tax established in 1992 and increases the motor fuel tax by four
cents.  The motor fuel tax will total 21 cents per gallon.

The bill raises the general sales tax by 0.5% and distributes it
as follows:

(1)  20% of the increased sales tax will go to the State
Transportation Fund for purposes other than highways, with
one-third of the amount to be used exclusively for capital
improvements;

(2)  2% will go to the Missouri Qualified Fuel Ethanol Producer
Incentive Fund and the Missouri Qualified Biodiesel Producer
Incentive Fund; and

(3)  78% will go to the State Road Fund.

Sales taxes collected on motor vehicles will be allocated as
follows:  half of the increased sales tax will be distributed
according to Article IV, Section 30(b)2 of the Missouri
Constitution; and the other half of the increased sales tax will
be deposited in the same funds the increased non-motor vehicle
sales tax is deposited in and in the same percentages.

The bill establishes within the Department of Transportation an
inspector general and spells out the inspector general's duties.

The bill also eliminates state offices, departments, and elected
offices from receiving revenue from the State Transportation
Fund, except for the State Highway Patrol, the Department of
Revenue for the actual cost of collecting highway revenues, and
the Office of Administration for the actual cost incurred on
behalf of the State Highway Patrol and employees of the
Department of Revenue for certain actual collection costs.
Appropriations to the State Highway Patrol must be made in
accordance with Article IV, Section 30(b)2 of the constitution.
The inspector general is authorized to conduct an audit of the
State Transportation Fund to ensure compliance with this
requirement.

The bill has a referendum clause and will be submitted to the
voters at the August 2002 election.  If it is approved by the
voters, the tax increases in the bill will again be subject to
referendum in 2012.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am