SRC- VRA  AMY S.B. 203 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 203
By: Janek
Intergovernmental Relations
2/14/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law does not address the fees a cruise ship terminal
located in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more may charge to
shuttle, limousine or taxi services.  As a result, various service
providers at ship terminals may be charged inconsistent fees.  As
proposed, S.B. 203 would prohibit a municipality or a port authority
located in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more from charging
transit fees to providers of transportation to or from a ship terminal.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends the heading to Title 14A, Local Government Code, to
read as follows: 

SUBTITLE A.  MUNICIPAL PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION PROVISIONS 

SECTION 2.  Amends Title 14A, Local Government Code, by adding Chapter
440, as follows: 

CHAPTER 440.  MISCELLANEOUS PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION 
PROVISIONS AFFECTING MUNICIPALITIES

Sec. 440.001.  CERTAIN TRANSIT FEES PROHIBITED.  (a) Prohibits a
municipality or port authority in a county with a cruise ship terminal and
adjacent to a county with a population of 3.3 million or more from levying
a fee on transportation services to or from the terminal. 

(b) Specifies that this section does not affect the municipality's
authority to license and regulate professional transportation services
within its municipal limits. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.