RATES AND BILLING PROCEDURES; ACCOUNT FOR CAPITAL REPLACEMENT COSTS

(a) Subject to Subsection (b), the department shall adopt rates for interagency aircraft services that are sufficient to recover, in the aggregate and to the extent possible, all direct costs for the services provided, including a state agency's pro rata share of major maintenance, overhauls of equipment and facilities, and pilots' salaries. (b) If the department's most recent long-term plan contains an analysis under Section 2205.032(c)(7) that finds that including capital recovery costs in the rates the department charges under this section is a practicable fleet replacement strategy, the department may adopt rates for interagency aircraft services provided by the department that are sufficient to recover, in the aggregate and to the extent possible: (1) all direct costs for services provided, as provided by Subsection (a); and (2) the capital costs of replacing aircraft in the pool. (c) The Legislative Budget Board, in cooperation with the department and the state auditor, shall prescribe a billing procedure for passenger travel on state-operated aircraft. (d) If the department adopts rates under Subsection (b), the portion of the rates collected for the capital costs of replacing aircraft in the pool shall be deposited in a separate account in the state highway fund. Money in the account may be used only for the acquisition of aircraft for the pool operated by the department under Section 2205.032.