SRC-LBB, LBB S.B. 249 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 249
78R3408 JTS-FBy: Janek
Infrastructure Development and Security
2/14/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no procedure for allowing certain vehicles priority in
boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry.  The Bolivar Peninsula has seen
an increase in tourist traffic and prolonged waiting periods for passage
onto the Bolivar ferry.   As proposed, S.B. 249 allows priority boarding
on the ferry to and from the Bolivar Peninsula  for the owner of a motor
vehicle who obtains a ferry sticker. Vehicles with the required sticker
will be given priority in boarding the ferry only until the ferry reaches
50 percent of its vehicle capacity. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of
Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section  342.503, Transportation Code) of
this bill. 


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 342, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter
G, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER G.  GALVESTON-PORT BOLIVAR FERRY

Sec.  342.501.  FERRY VEHICLE STICKER.  (a)  Authorizes an owner of a
motor vehicle registered under Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles) to
apply for a vehicle sticker from the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDot) that entitles the vehicle to have priority in boarding the
Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry. 

(b)  Requires TxDot to design the sticker and designate the place where
the sticker must be affixed to the motor vehicle windshield. 

Sec.  342.502.  FEE.  (a)  Sets forth the annual fee for a ferry vehicle
sticker under this subchapter. 

(b)  Requires TxDot to deposit fees collected under Subsection (a) to the
credit of the state highway fund. 

Sec.  342.503.  RULES AND FORMS.  (a)  Authorizes TxDot to adopt rules to
administer this subchapter. 

(b)  Requires TxDot to prescribe forms necessary for the administration of
this subchapter. 

(c)  Requires TxDot to adopt rules ensuring that vehicles with the
required sticker be given priority in boarding the ferry only until the
ferry reaches 50 percent of its vehicle capacity. 

 SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 2003.