By Hawley                                             H.B. No. 2247
         76R8534 T                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the method of payment of fees for goods sold or
 1-3     services provided by the Texas Department of Transportation or for
 1-4     the administration of Texas Department of Transportation programs.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
 1-7     is amended by adding Section 201.208 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 201.208.  PAYMENT OF FEES FOR DEPARTMENT GOODS AND
 1-9     SERVICES.  (a)  The commission may adopt rules regarding the method
1-10     of payment of a fee for any goods sold or services provided by the
1-11     department, or for the administration of any department program.
1-12           (b)  Goods sold and services provided include the sale of
1-13     travel promotional materials and department publications, and the
1-14     issuance of licenses, permits, and registrations.
1-15           (c)  The rules may:
1-16                 (1)  authorize the use of electronic funds transfer or
1-17     valid credit card issued by a financial institution chartered by a
1-18     state or the United States or by a nationally recognized credit
1-19     organization approved by the department; and
1-20                 (2)  require the payment of a discount or service
1-21     charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee.
1-22           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-23     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-24     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-1     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-2     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-3     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-4     passage, and it is so enacted.