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.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1621 was passed by the House on March
22, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1621 was passed by the Senate on May
23, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor