SJR 31 - This proposed constitutional amendment authorizes the Highway & Transportation Commission to conduct feasibility studies, fund, design, acquire, construct, maintain, and operate toll facilities. The commission shall fix and collect tolls for the use of all toll facilities. The commission is authorized to issue state toll facility revenue bonds or refunding bonds authorized by the general assembly without the consent of any other state agency or board. The commission is authorized to enter into contracts with other federal, state, or local agencies to conduct its duties with respect to constructing toll facilities. Moneys obtained from toll facility revenue bonds, tolls, and other fees shall be deposited in the state toll facility fund. Moneys in the fund shall stand appropriated without legislative action to be expended in the sole discretion of the commission.
The commission is authorized to transfer moneys from the state road fund to the state facility fund to pay toll facility costs. Any such transfers from the state road fund shall be repaid in a time and manner determined by the commission. The commission is authorized to relocate or incorporate any public road or highway into a state toll facility project authorized by the General Assembly.
Revenue generated from the toll roads shall not be included as a part of total state revenue, nor shall revenue expenditures be considered an "expense of state government" for the purposes of the Hancock Amendment.
This resolution is similar to SJR 1 (2007), SJR 24 (2006) and SJR 11 (2005).
STEPHEN WITTE