House committee substitute deletes all provisions of 2nd edition and replaces it with AN ACT TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY CAP FOR THE MOTOR FUEL EXCISE TAX RATE, TO ADJUST THE 2011-2012 BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TO STUDY TRANSPORTATION REVENUES, AND TO STUDY THE IMPACT TO THE STATE OF A REDUCTION IN FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.
Caps the variable wholesale component of the fuel tax rate at 17½¢ per gallon for January 1, 2012, through June 30, 2012.
Highway Fund. Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to achieve $95,835,587 in expenditure savings from the Highway Fund in 2011-12. Requires DOT to continue to use the statutory program distribution formulas for equitable distribution of highway funding throughout the state within a given program. Authorizes DOT to eliminate positions and requires pro rata reductions in programs in order to achieve the Highway Fund savings. Directs DOT to use $31,744,464 from the unreserved credit balance in the Highway Fund to reduce the amount of the required cut. Amends the Appropriations Act of 2011 (SL 2011-145, as amended) to reflect adjustments made to the Highway Fund as follows: (1) reduces the total 2011-12 appropriation from the Highway Fund to DOT to $1,985,108,877 (was, $2,049,200,000) and (2) makes corresponding changes to the Highway Fund availability statement.
Highway Trust Fund. Reduces the total 2011-12 appropriation from the Highway Trust Fund to DOT to $1,082,481,420 (was, $1,115,410,000), and distributes the reduction, in specified amounts, among the following operations: intrastate, aid to municipalities, secondary roads, and urban loops. Makes corresponding changes to the Highway Trust Fund availability statement. Authorizes DOT to eliminate positions.
Directs DOT to make a detailed report on the required reductions to specified appropriations committees by February 10, 2012.
Studies. Directs the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee (Committee) to study reforming the current fuel excise tax formula. Provides details on the study requirements and authorizes the committee to hire a consultant with expertise in transportation finance. Requires the Committee to report to the 2013 General Assembly. Also directs the Committee to study the impact of a federal allocation reduction if the US Congress reduces such transportation funding by more than 10% before the 2012 Regular Session convenes.