By Moffat H.B. No. 124
75R1021 DRH-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the continuation of the Texas Turnpike Authority as the
1-3 North Texas Tollway Authority.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 361.001(1), Transportation Code, is
1-6 amended to read as follows:
1-7 (1) "Authority" means the North Texas Tollway
1-8 [Turnpike] Authority and includes the entity that succeeds to the
1-9 principal functions of the authority or to whom by law the powers
1-10 of the authority are given.
1-11 SECTION 2. Section 361.003, Transportation Code, is amended
1-12 to read as follows:
1-13 Sec. 361.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The North Texas Tollway
1-14 [Turnpike] Authority is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code
1-15 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by
1-16 that chapter, the authority is abolished and this chapter expires
1-17 September 1, 2009 [1997].
1-18 SECTION 3. Section 361.031, Transportation Code, is amended
1-19 to read as follows:
1-20 Sec. 361.031. NORTH TEXAS TOLLWAY [TURNPIKE] AUTHORITY. (a)
1-21 The North Texas Tollway [Turnpike] Authority is a state agency.
1-22 (b) The authority may construct, maintain, or operate a
1-23 turnpike project under this chapter in the following counties only:
1-24 Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant [shall locate offices in
2-1 Austin, Texas, on or before September 1, 1997].
2-2 (c) The exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by
2-3 this chapter in the construction, operation, and maintenance of a
2-4 turnpike project is:
2-5 (1) in all respects for the benefit of the people of
2-6 this state, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and
2-7 for the improvement of their health and living conditions; and
2-8 (2) an essential governmental function of the state.
2-9 SECTION 4. (a) The chapter heading to Chapter 361,
2-10 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
2-11 CHAPTER 361. NORTH TEXAS TOLLWAY [TURNPIKE] AUTHORITY
2-12 (b) The subchapter heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 361,
2-13 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
2-14 SUBCHAPTER B. NORTH TEXAS TOLLWAY [TURNPIKE] AUTHORITY
2-15 SECTION 5. (a) A reference in law to the Texas Turnpike
2-16 Authority means the North Texas Tollway Authority.
2-17 (b) On the effective date of this Act, all personnel,
2-18 property, records, and funds of the Texas Turnpike Authority
2-19 relating to a turnpike project located in Collin, Dallas, Denton,
2-20 or Tarrant County are retained by the North Texas Tollway
2-21 Authority. All other personnel, property, records, and funds of
2-22 the Texas Turnpike Authority are transferred to the Texas
2-23 Department of Transportation on that date.
2-24 (c) On the effective date of this Act, the board of
2-25 directors of the Texas Turnpike Authority becomes the board of
2-26 directors of the North Texas Tollway Authority. A rule adopted by
2-27 the Texas Turnpike Authority that is in effect on the effective
3-1 date of this Act remains in effect until it is amended or repealed
3-2 by the board of the North Texas Tollway Authority or it expires by
3-3 its own terms.
3-4 (d) On the effective date of this Act, all unpaid debts
3-5 incurred by the Texas Turnpike Authority relating to a turnpike
3-6 project located in Collin, Dallas, Denton, or Tarrant County become
3-7 debts of the North Texas Tollway Authority. All other unpaid debts
3-8 of the Texas Turnpike Authority become debts of the Texas
3-9 Department of Transportation.
3-10 SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
3-11 SECTION 7. The importance of this legislation and the
3-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.