78R1785 MTB-D

By:  King                                                         H.B. No. 187



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation 
to charge a fee for transportation of utility service and placement 
of facilities along the Trans-Texas Corridor.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter N to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER N. TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR
	Sec. 201.961.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:                        
		(1)  "Trans-Texas Corridor" means the multiuse, 
statewide transportation corridor described by the department 
report adopted by the commission on June 27, 2002.
		(2)  "Utility" includes a public or private entity that 
provides, transmits, or transports:
			(A)  water or sewage service;                                         
			(B)  telecommunications, cable, or other 
communications service;    
			(C)  electric service; or                                             
			(D)  petroleum and petroleum product pipeline 
service.              
	Sec. 201.962.  FEES FOR UTILITIES.  (a)  The department may 
charge a utility a fee for placement of a facility in the 
Trans-Texas Corridor right-of-way in the amount and manner 
determined by the commission.
	(b)  The department may charge a utility a fee for the 
transportation of utility service along the Trans-Texas Corridor's 
dedicated utility zone in the amount and manner determined by the 
commission.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.