By:  Bernsen                                          S.B. No. 1677
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
                                       AN ACT
 1-1     relating to the method of payment of fees for goods sold or
 1-2     services provided by the Texas Department of Transportation or for
 1-3     the administration of Texas Department of Transportation programs.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
 1-6     is amended by adding Section 201.208 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 201.208.  PAYMENT OF FEES FOR DEPARTMENT GOODS AND
 1-8     SERVICES.  (a)  The commission may adopt rules regarding the method
 1-9     of payment of a fee for any goods sold or services provided by the
1-10     department, or for the administration of any department program.
1-11           (b)  Goods sold and services provided include the sale of
1-12     travel promotional materials and department publications, and the
1-13     issuance of licenses, permits, and registrations.
1-14           (c)  The rules may:
1-15                 (1)  authorize the use of electronic funds transfer or
1-16     valid credit card issued by a financial institution chartered by a
1-17     state or the United States or by a nationally recognized credit
1-18     organization approved by the department; and
1-19                 (2)  require the payment of a discount or service
1-20     charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee.
1-21           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-22     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-1     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-2     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-3     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-4     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-5     passage, and it is so enacted.