1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a prohibition against converting the Queen Isabella
1-3 Causeway to a turnpike project.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 362.0041, Transportation Code, is amended
1-6 by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
1-7 follows:
1-8 (a) Except as provided in Subsection (d), if [If] the
1-9 commission finds that the conversion of a segment of the free state
1-10 highway system to a toll facility is the most feasible and economic
1-11 means to accomplish necessary expansion improvements, or extensions
1-12 to the state highway system, that segment may be converted by order
1-13 of the commission to a turnpike project under Chapter 361.
1-14 (d) The commission may not convert the Queen Isabella
1-15 Causeway in Cameron County to a turnpike project.
1-16 SECTION 2. Section 366.035, Transportation Code, is amended
1-17 by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
1-18 follows:
1-19 (a) Except as provided under Subsection (g), if [If] the
1-20 commission determines that the most feasible and economic means to
1-21 accomplish necessary expansion, improvements, or extensions to the
1-22 state highway system is the conversion to a turnpike project of a
1-23 segment of the free state highway system, any segment located in a
1-24 county of an authority or a county in which an authority operates a
2-1 turnpike project or in any county adjacent to those counties may,
2-2 on approval of the governor and the affected authority, be
2-3 transferred by order of the commission to that authority. An
2-4 authority that receives the segment of highway may own, operate,
2-5 and maintain the segment as a turnpike project or system or a part
2-6 of a turnpike project or system under this chapter.
2-7 (g) The commission may not transfer the Queen Isabella
2-8 Causeway in Cameron County to an authority under this section.
2-9 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-10 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-11 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-12 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-13 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the House on April
27, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the Senate on May
17, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor