By Brimer                                             H.B. No. 3025

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

 1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to parking fees imposed by a governmental authority.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 681.006(b), Transportation Code, is

 1-5     amended to read as follows:

 1-6           (b)  The owner of a vehicle is exempt from the payment of a

 1-7     fee or penalty imposed by a governmental unit for parking at a

 1-8     meter [or in a space] with a limitation on the length of time for

 1-9     parking if:

1-10                 (1)  the vehicle is being operated by or for the

1-11     transportation of a person with a disability; and

1-12                 (2)  there are:

1-13                       (A)  displayed on the vehicle special license

1-14     plates issued under Section 502.253; or

1-15                       (B)  placed on the rearview mirror of the

1-16     vehicle's front windshield a disabled parking placard.

1-17           SECTION 2.  Section 681.006, Transportation Code, is amended

1-18     by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

1-19           (e)  Nothing in this code shall be interpreted as exempting

1-20     any owner or operator of a vehicle from payment of fees or

1-21     penalties imposed by a governmental unit for parking at a meter, in

1-22     a parking garage or lot, or in a space located within the

1-23     boundaries of a municipal airport.

1-24           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

 2-1           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the

 2-2     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-3     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-4     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-5     days in each house be suspended and this rule is hereby suspended.