§40-17-362. Use of tax proceeds for highway purposes.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) BRIDGE REPLACEMENT. Bridge replacement includes the replacement of existing bridge structures and, if necessary, the realignment of the adjacent approaches.

(2) RESURFACING, RESTORATION, AND REHABILITATION. Work undertaken primarily to preserve an existing facility. Restoration and rehabilitation is work required to return the existing pavement or bridge deck, including shoulders, to a condition of adequate structural support or to a condition adequate for placement of an additional state of construction. Resurfacing consists of the placement of additional surface material over the existing, restored, or rehabilitated roadway or bridge deck to improve serviceability or to provide additional strength. Resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation work may include changes to geometric features, such as minor widening, flattening curves, or improving sight distances.

(3) VEGETATION MANAGEMENT. Action taken to maintain the right-of-way of a paved road in a condition that is beneficial to public safety and the longevity of the road infrastructure including, but not limited to, restoration and maintenance and cleaning of the full width of the right-of-way through the use of herbicides, heavy equipment, and other means.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the proceeds of the tax collected on the additional six cents ($.06) diesel fuel excise tax and the additional four cents ($.04) gasoline excise tax under the provisions of this article shall be used in the following manner:

(1) Where the use is by the Department of Transportation, the use shall, with the approval of the Governor, be for the construction and maintenance of public roads and bridges on the state highway system.

(2) Where the use is by a county, the use shall be for vegetation management or resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of the paved county roads and bridges or bridge replacement on the county road system. These funds shall not be used for new construction unless 90 percent of the county's paved road system has achieved a grade of 85 percent based on the State of Alabama Department of Transportation's annual maintenance report of county roads and bridges. These funds shall not be used for the purchase of equipment or herbicides. The net tax proceeds distributed to the county shall not be commingled with other funds of the county, including any other gasoline tax revenues, and shall be kept and disbursed by the county from a special fund only for the purposes hereinabove provided.

(3) Where the use is by a municipality, the use shall be for resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and streets within the municipality. The use may also be for bridge replacement within the municipality. From time to time, the funds may also be used to construct new roads and streets within the municipality. These funds shall not be commingled with other funds of the municipality, including any other gasoline tax revenues, and shall be kept and disbursed by the municipality from a special fund only for the purposes hereinabove provided.

(Act 2011-565, p. 1084, §43; Act 2013-372, §1; Act 2013-402, §1.)