HBA-CCH H.J.R. 46 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 46 By: Alexander Teacher Health Insurance, Select 2/6/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas school districts and district employees, including teachers, struggle to keep pace with rising health care costs. Texas school districts need assistance in meeting the demands of health care costs, and allocating revenue generated from an increase in the gasoline tax to health care coverage for school district employees will contribute to decreasing the funding shortfall. House Joint Resolution 46 proposes a constitutional amendment dedicating one-fourth of any revenue derived from an increase in the rate of the gasoline tax to funding group health benefits for active employees of school districts. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Joint Resolution 46 amends the Texas Constitution to require that one-fourth of the net revenue derived from any increase in the rate of the gasoline tax over its rate on January 1, 2001 is to be used for the sole purpose of funding group health benefits for active employees of school districts. H.J.R. 46 removes the requirement that net revenues derived from motor vehicle registration fees and all taxes on motor fuels and lubricants used by motor vehicles over public roadways are to be used solely for the payment of the principal and interest on county and road district bonds or warrants voted or issued prior to January 2, 1939, and declared eligible prior to January 2, 1945 for payment out of the County and Road District Highway Fund. FOR ELECTION This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.