H.B. 960 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 960 By: Smith, Todd Transportation Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a joint board may license taxicabs transporting passengers to or from the airport and impose fees for issuing the licenses. There is no fee or penalty imposed on those who solicit or engage in ground transportation business without a license. House Bill 960 provides a penalty for a person that solicits or engages in ground transportation business without a license. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 960 amends Subchapter D, Chapter 22 of the Transportation Code by adding section 22.0815 as follows: (a) Provides that "ground transportation business" means the transportation by motor vehicle of persons or baggage for compensation. (b) Provides that a person commits an offense if, within the boundaries of an airport operated or controlled by a joint board for which the constituent agencies are populous home-ruled municipalities, the person: 1. solicits ground transportation business without the permission of the joint board, if required; or 2. engages in ground transportation business without the permission of the joint board, if required. (c) Provides that an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.