By: Lindsay S.B. No. 155 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to a limitation on the amount charged for parking in 1-2 connection with a special event; creating an offense. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: 1-5 (1) "Parking facility," "parking facility owner," and 1-6 "vehicle" have the meanings assigned by Section 684.001, 1-7 Transportation Code. 1-8 (2) "Special event" includes a sporting event, 1-9 convention, concert, exhibit, parade, or political rally. 1-10 SECTION 2. LIMITATION OF PARKING CHARGE IN CONNECTION WITH 1-11 SPECIAL EVENT. A parking facility owner may not charge for parking 1-12 a vehicle in the parking facility in connection with a special 1-13 event an amount that is more than two times the amount computed 1-14 using the rate that is normally charged for parking a vehicle in 1-15 the facility on that day of the week and at that time. This 1-16 section does not apply to institutions of higher education or 1-17 private or independent institutions of higher education as defined 1-18 in Section 61.003, Education Code. 1-19 SECTION 3. OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the 1-20 person violates Section 2 of this Act. 1-21 (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 1-22 (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that 1-23 the parking facility owner posted a conspicuous sign at least two 1-24 feet wide and two feet high at the entrance to the parking facility 2-1 stating: 2-2 (1) the rate that is normally charged for parking a 2-3 vehicle in the facility; and 2-4 (2) the rate that is charged for parking a vehicle in 2-5 the facility in connection with a special event. 2-6 SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 2-7 1, 1999. 2-8 SECTION 5. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation 2-9 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-10 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-11 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-12 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. 2-13 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1 2-14 Amendment to SB 155: 2-15 Add the following to Section 3(c)(1) & Section 3(c)(2): 2-16 (1) In print at least six inches in height, the rate 2-17 that is normally charged for parking a vehicle in the facility; and 2-18 (2) In print at least six inches in height, the rate 2-19 that is charged for parking a vehicle in the facility in connection 2-20 with a special event. 2-21 Noriega