78R4098 JD-D

By:  Eissler                                                      H.B. No. 1340



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring a governmental entity that operates a toll 
highway or toll road in this state to permit the use of a 
transponder issued by another governmental entity to pay a toll for 
the use of the toll road or turnpike project.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 362, Transportation Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D.  TRANSPONDER SYSTEMS ON TURNPIKE PROJECTS, TOLL 
HIGHWAYS, AND TOLL ROADS
	Sec. 362.151.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:                        
		(1)  "Governmental entity" means a public entity that 
is authorized to operate a toll highway or toll road in this state.  
The term includes a municipality, county, district, regional 
mobility authority, turnpike authority, and the Texas Department of 
Transportation.
		(2)  "Transponder" has the meaning assigned by Section 
361.255, Transportation Code.
	Sec. 362.152.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter applies to 
any governmental entity that operates a toll highway or toll road 
project in this state.
	Sec. 362.153.  USE OF TRANSPONDER.  Each governmental entity 
that operates a turnpike project or a toll highway or toll road in 
this state and issues or provides for the issuance of transponders 
for the payment of the proper toll at a toll collection facility 
shall permit a person to use a transponder that is issued by another 
governmental entity to pay the proper toll at the toll collection 
facility.
	Sec. 362.154.  ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.  A governmental entity 
may impose a reasonable administrative fee for each transaction in 
which a person uses a transponder issued by another governmental 
entity to pay the proper toll.
	Sec. 362.155.  RULES.  The commission shall adopt and 
enforce rules to implement and administer this subchapter.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.