S.B. 441 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 441
By: Harris
Transportation
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, an airport operated or controlled by a joint board may license
taxicabs transporting passengers to or from the airport and impose fees
for issuing the licenses.  Under the DFW Airport's Code of Rules and
Regulations, there is a Class C Misdemeanor imposed on those who solicit
or engage in the ground transportation business without a license.  As
proposed, S.B. 441 makes it a Class B misdemeanor for someone to solicit
or engage in the ground transportation business without a license from a
joint board. 

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

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 22D, Transportation Code, by adding Section
22.0815, as follows: 

 Sec.  22.0815.  (a)  Defines "ground transportation business."

(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-rule municipalities, the person
solicits or 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. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 22B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
22.027, as follows: 

Sec.  22.027.  MUNICIPAL PERMISSION FOR GROUND TRANSPORTATION; OFFENSE.
(a)  Defines "ground transportation." 

(b)  Provides that a person commits an offense if, within the boundaries
of an airport operated by a home-rule municipality, the person solicits
ground transportation business without the permission of the municipality,
if required, or engages in ground transportation business without the
permission of the municipality, if required. 

  (c)  Provides that an offense under this section is a Class B
misdemeanor. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.