By Lindsay S.B. No. 155 76R3035 SMH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a limitation on the amount charged for parking in 1-3 connection with a special event; creating an offense. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: 1-6 (1) "Parking facility," "parking facility owner," and 1-7 "vehicle" have the meanings assigned by Section 684.001, 1-8 Transportation Code. 1-9 (2) "Special event" includes a sporting event, 1-10 convention, concert, exhibit, parade, or political rally. 1-11 SECTION 2. LIMITATION OF PARKING CHARGE IN CONNECTION WITH 1-12 SPECIAL EVENT. A parking facility owner may not charge for parking 1-13 a vehicle in the parking facility in connection with a special 1-14 event an amount that is more than two times the amount computed 1-15 using the rate that is normally charged for parking a vehicle in 1-16 the facility on that day of the week and at that time. 1-17 SECTION 3. OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the 1-18 person violates Section 2 of this Act. 1-19 (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 1-20 (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that 1-21 the parking facility owner posted a conspicuous sign at least two 1-22 feet wide and two feet high at the entrance to the parking facility 1-23 stating: 1-24 (1) the rate that is normally charged for parking a 2-1 vehicle in the facility; and 2-2 (2) the rate that is charged for parking a vehicle in 2-3 the facility in connection with a special event. 2-4 SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 2-5 1, 1999. 2-6 SECTION 5. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation 2-7 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-8 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-9 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-10 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.