SRC-AMY S.B. 903 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 903
By: Lindsay
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
6-13-2003
Enrolled
DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law allows member of the state military forces, but not
federal vehicles, to travel free of charge on toll roads, bridges, or
ferries. The law also provides a penalty for seeking free passage to which
a state military member is not entitled. The increased usage of unmanned
toll facilities and differing identification styles among military
branches require increased flexibility on the part of the governing bodies
of toll roads, bridges, and ferries.   

S.B. 903 requires the Texas Transportation Commission and the governing
body of each local governmental entity or private entity that operates a
toll project to adopt rules to allow a military vehicle to use toll
projects without payment of a toll or fare.  This bill also repeals
Section 431.087, Government Code (Duty Travel). 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Transportation
Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 362.901, Transportation Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 362, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter
Z, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 362.901.  FREE USE OF TOLL PROJECT BY MILITARY VEHICLES.  (a)
Requires the Texas Transportation Commission and the governing body of
each local governmental entity or private entity that operates a toll
project to adopt rules to allow a military vehicle to use toll projects
without payment of a toll or fare. 

(b) Requires a rule adopted under this section to provide certain
allowances for military vehicles. 

(c) Sets forth what constitutes an offense under this section, and that
such an offense is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. 

(d) Defines "toll project."

SECTION 2.  Repealer: Section 431.087, Government Code (Duty Travel).

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.