One of the bills moving quickly this legislative session is a proposal that would take steps toward amending the state constitution to prevent transportation funds from being used for non-transportation related projects.

Since 2003, more than $1.3 billion has been redirected from the transportation fund and spent on unrelated programs. SJR4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prevent any money the state collects through the gas tax, fees imposed on driver’s licenses and titling vehicles from being diverted from the transportation fund.

A constitutional amendment requires passage by subsequent legislatures and the public. This is the second consideration of the amendment by the legislature. If it is approved this spring, a public referendum will likely take place during the November 2014 election.