Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 1301 amends the Government Code and Texas Public Finance Authority Act to address the subject of parking, traffic, and security in the Capitol Complex in Austin. The act clarifies the boundaries of the complex and directs the Department of Public Safety and the City of Austin to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement defining their respective responsibilities for traffic and parking enforcement and provision of security within those boundaries. The legislation provides for a Transportation Planning Committee to address transportation coordination in and adjacent to the complex. Members include representatives from the city, the department, the State Preservation Board, the General Services Commission, the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority, and The University of Texas at Austin.

            The act authorizes the State Preservation Board, using available funds, to install parking meters within the complex. The department is responsible for parking meter operation, maintenance, and enforcement and may be reimbursed by the board for such duties. Where the City of Austin has existing meters within the complex, it retains the right to associated revenue. Revenue from the state meters goes to the Capitol fund. The act, however, prohibits state or city parking meters that accept quarters only. It authorizes construction of new parking facilities for Capitol Complex visitors and for state officials and employees, at an estimated combined cost of $29.5 million. The act approves these facilities for financing and bond issuance under the Texas Public Finance Authority Act and authorizes visitor parking fees for retirement of the debt on the visitor facility. It authorizes use of previously approved bond issuance amounts for the construction of additional parking facilities.