SRC-ARR S.B. 155 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 155
76R3035 SMH-DBy: Lindsay
State Affairs
3/3/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not provide a limit on the amount charged for
parking in connection with a special event, or require a notice of the
parking charge to be posted. Persons are being charged an outstanding
amount for parking without notice before parking. S.B. 155 would require a
parking facility owner to post a conspicuous sign if the parking charge
more than doubles the normal rate for a special event.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 155 provides a limitation on the amount charged for
parking in connection with a special event; creates an offense. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "parking facility," "parking facility
owner," "vehicle," and "special event." 

SECTION 2. LIMITATION OF PARKING CHARGE IN CONNECTION WITH SPECIAL EVENT.
Prohibits a parking facility owner from charging for parking a vehicle in
the parking facility in connection with a special event an amount that is
more than two times the amount computed using the rate that is normally
charged for parking a vehicle in the facility on that day of the week and
at that time. Provides that this section does not apply to public
institutions of higher education as defined in Section 61.003, Education
Code. 

SECTION 3. OFFENSE. Provides that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if
the person violates SECTION 2 of this Act. Sets forth a defense for
prosecution under this section. 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 2.

Adds a sentence to SECTION 2 to provide that this section does not apply to
public institutions of higher education as defined in Section 61.003,
Education Code.