By:  Harris                                           S.B. No. 1616

         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.

         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

                                       AN ACT

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

 1-2           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-3           SECTION 1.  Section 681.006(b), Transportation Code, is

 1-4     amended to read as follows:

 1-5           (b)  The owner of a vehicle is exempt from the payment of a

 1-6     fee or penalty imposed by a governmental unit for parking at a

 1-7     meter [or in a space] with a limitation on the length of time for

 1-8     parking if:

 1-9                 (1)  the vehicle is being operated by or for the

1-10     transportation of a person with a disability; and

1-11                 (2)  there are:

1-12                       (A)  displayed on the vehicle special license

1-13     plates issued under Section 502.253; or

1-14                       (B)  placed on the rearview mirror of the

1-15     vehicle's front windshield a disabled parking placard.

1-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

1-17           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-18     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-19     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-20     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-21     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.