SRC-AXB S.B. 1677 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1677
By: Bernsen
State Affairs
5/7/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) authority to
accept credit card payments for services is limited.  Texans routinely use
credit cards for common purchases and expect  
to be able to use this form of payment for all goods and services they need
to purchase from TxDOT. S.B. 1677 sets forth provisions allowing blanket
authority to accept payments electronically, as needed. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1677 authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to
adopt rules regarding the method of fee payment for Texas Department of
Transportation provided goods, services, and programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Transportation Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 201.208(a), Transportation Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 201D, Transportation Code, by adding Section
201.208, as follows: 

Sec.  201.208.  PAYMENT OF FEES FOR DEPARTMENT GOODS AND SERVICES.
Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to adopt rules
regarding the method of payment for certain goods and services.  Includes
travel promotional materials, Texas Department of Transportation
publications, licenses, permits, and registrations with the services, which
are regulated by TTC.  Sets forth authorizations and requirements for the
rules.  Requires revenue generated from payments of discount or service
charges to be deposited in the state highway fund. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 201.208, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (d),
regarding required payment deposit procedures.