By Coleman                                            H.B. No. 1621
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the representation of the transportation disadvantaged
 1-3     in mass transportation.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 451.001, Transportation Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Subdivision (9) to read as follows:
 1-7                 (9)  "Transportation disadvantaged" means the elderly,
 1-8     persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals.
 1-9           SECTION 2. Section 451.502, Transportation Code, is amended
1-10     by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
1-11           (g)  The principal municipality shall make its appointments
1-12     to the board so that at least one of the appointees is designated
1-13     to represent the interests of the transportation disadvantaged.
1-14           SECTION 3. Section 451.5021, Transportation Code, is amended
1-15     by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
1-16           (h)  The principal municipality shall make its appointments
1-17     to the board so that at least one of the appointees is designated
1-18     to represent the interests of the transportation disadvantaged.
1-19           SECTION 4.  Section 452.001, Transportation Code, is amended
1-20     by adding Subdivision (15) to read as follows:
1-21                 (15)  "Transportation disadvantaged" has the meaning
1-22     assigned by Section 451.001.
1-23           SECTION 5. Section 452.562, Transportation Code, is amended
1-24     by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
 2-1           (f)  The principal municipality shall make its appointments
 2-2     to the board so that at least one of the appointees is designated
 2-3     to represent the interests of the transportation disadvantaged.
 2-4           SECTION 6. Section 452.574, Transportation Code, is amended
 2-5     by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
 2-6           (c)  The principal municipality shall make its appointments
 2-7     to the board so that at least one of the appointees is designated
 2-8     to represent the interests of the transportation disadvantaged.
 2-9           SECTION 7.  Section 453.001, Transportation Code, is amended
2-10     by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows:
2-11                 (5)  "Transportation disadvantaged" has the meaning
2-12     assigned by Section 451.001.
2-13           SECTION 8. Subchapter B, Chapter 453, Transportation Code, is
2-14     amended by adding Section 453.061 to read as follows:
2-15           Sec. 453.061.  TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED. The board shall
2-16     consider the interests of the transportation disadvantaged in
2-17     making decisions under this chapter.
2-18           SECTION 9.  Section 457.001, Transportation Code, is amended
2-19     by adding Subdivision (8) to read as follows:
2-20                 (8)  "Transportation disadvantaged" has the meaning
2-21     assigned by Section 451.001.
2-22           SECTION 10. Section 457.052, Transportation Code, is amended
2-23     by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
2-24           (f)  The principal municipality shall make its appointments
2-25     to the board so that at least one of the appointees is designated
2-26     to represent the interests of the transportation disadvantaged.
2-27           SECTION 11. The changes in law made by this Act in the
 3-1     qualifications of certain board members of metropolitan rapid
 3-2     transit authorities, regional transportation authorities, and
 3-3     county mass transit authorities do not affect the entitlement of a
 3-4     member serving on an authority immediately before the effective
 3-5     date of this Act to continue to carry out the functions of the
 3-6     authority for the remainder of the member's term.  The changes in
 3-7     law apply only to a member appointed on or after the effective date
 3-8     of this Act.  This Act does not prohibit a person who is a member
 3-9     of a metropolitan rapid transit authority, a regional
3-10     transportation authority, or a county mass transit authority on the
3-11     effective date of this Act from being reappointed to the authority
3-12     if the person has the qualifications required under Section
3-13     451.502, 451.5021, 452.562, 452.574, or 457.052, Transportation
3-14     Code, as amended by this Act.
3-15           SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
3-16     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
3-17     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
3-18     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
3-19     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.