78R3408 JTS-F

By:  Eiland                                                       H.B. No. 524



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry operated by 
the Texas Department of Transportation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 342, Transportation Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER G.  GALVESTON-PORT BOLIVAR FERRY
	Sec. 342.501.  FERRY VEHICLE STICKER.  (a)  An owner of a 
motor vehicle registered under Chapter 502 may apply to the 
department for issuance of a sticker for the vehicle that entitles 
the vehicle to have priority in boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar 
ferry operated by the department.
	(b)  The department shall:                                              
		(1)  design the sticker; and                                           
		(2)  designate the place where a sticker must be 
affixed to the windshield of the motor vehicle for which it is 
issued.
	Sec. 342.502.  FEE.  (a)  The annual fee for a ferry vehicle 
sticker under this subchapter is:
		(1)  $50, if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, 
as defined by Section 502.001; or
		(2)  $30, if the vehicle is a vehicle other than a 
commercial motor vehicle.
	(b)  The department shall deposit each fee collected under 
Subsection (a) to the credit of the state highway fund.
	Sec. 342.503.  RULES AND FORMS.  (a)  The department may 
adopt rules to administer this subchapter.
	(b)  The department shall prescribe forms necessary for the 
administration of this subchapter.
	(c)  The department shall adopt rules to ensure that a 
vehicle displaying a sticker issued under Section 342.501 is given 
priority in boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry only until 
the ferry reaches 50 percent of its vehicle capacity.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.