SRC-JBJ C.S.S.B. 1109 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1109 77R12072 JAT-DBy: Bernsen State Affairs 4/10/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, some motorists experience delays due to congestion on the ferry service to the Bolivar Peninsula. C.S.S.B. 1109 allows an owner of a motor vehicle who obtains a certain ferry sticker priority boarding on the ferry service to and from the Bolivar Peninsula. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section 342.503, Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 342, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter G, as follows: SUBCHAPTER G. GALVESTON-PORT BOLIVAR FERRY Sec. 342.501. FERRY VEHICLE STICKER. (a) Authorizes an owner of a motor vehicle registered under Chapter 502 to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation (department) for issuance of a sticker for the vehicle that entitles the vehicle to have priority in boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry operated by the department. (b) Requires the department to design the sticker and designate the place where a sticker must be affixed to the windshield of the motor vehicle for which it is issued. Sec. 342.502. FEE. (a) Provides that the annual fee for a ferry vehicle sticker under this subchapter is the greater of $50 or the amount equal to the fee for the current registration year for registration under Chapter 502D. (b) Sets forth requirements for the department regarding the handling of each fee collected under this section. Sec. 342.503. RULES AND FORMS. (a) Authorizes the department to adopt rules to administer this subchapter. (b) Requires the department to prescribe forms necessary for the administration of this subchapter. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Differs from the original by amending previously proposed provisions regarding the establishment and administration of a vehicle sticker procedure for priority access to the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry. SECTION 2. No change.