SCS SJR 44 -- DIVERSION OF HIGHWAY REVENUE

SPONSOR:  Dolan (Crawford)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation and Motor Vehicles by a vote of 20 to 0.

This proposed constitutional amendment reduces highway revenues
received by non-highway agencies by 20% for the next five years
and eliminates these agencies from receiving any highway revenues
after the five-year period.  The Department of Transportation and
the State Highway Patrol are exempt from the diversion.  Cost
incurred by the Office of Administration on behalf of employees
of the department and patrol may be paid from highway revenues.

After five years, the constitutional amendment redirects from the
General Revenue Fund 10% of the proceeds from the tax on motor
vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, mopeds, and motortricycles to
the State Road Fund over a 10-year period.  Thereafter, all of
the proceeds from the tax on motor vehicles, trailers,
motorcycles, mopeds, and motortricycles will be deposited to the
road fund.  These proceeds will not include any of the revenues
derived from Proposition C passed in 1982.

The constitutional amendment also creates a State Highway Patrol
Safety Fund and establishes a separate motor vehicle registration
surcharge or fee to fund it.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $73,680
in FY 2005, $12,148,536 in FY 2006, and $24,297,072 in FY 2007.
Estimated Income on Other State Funds of $0 to Unknown in FY
2005, $12,148,536 to Unknown in FY 2006, and $24,297,072 to
Unknown in FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the amendment will help stop
transportation revenue from going to non-transportation purposes.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Dolan; Missouri Chamber of
Commerce; Missouri Laborers; Department of Transportation;
Missouri Motor Carriers Association; and Mike McMillion.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the amendment say they are concerned
that the diversion of funds may hurt schools.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri National Education
Association.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:17 am