SRC-AMY S.B. 903 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 903 78R6086 JTS-FBy: Lindsay Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 3/25/2003 As Filed 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. As proposed, 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 and to provide allowances, such as non-fare passage, for military vehicles and personnel. 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 and personnel. (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.