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