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78R4828 JTS-F
By: Harper-Brown H.B. No. 2500
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the enforcement of fares imposed for the use of certain
public transportation systems; providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 452, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 452.0611 to read as follows:
Sec. 452.0611. ENFORCEMENT OF FARES AND OTHER CHARGES;
PENALTIES. (a) An executive committee by resolution may prohibit
the use of the public transportation system by a person who fails to
possess evidence showing that the appropriate fare for the use of
the system has been paid and may establish reasonable and
appropriate methods to ensure that persons using the public
transportation system pay the appropriate fare for that use.
(b) An executive committee by resolution may provide that a
fare for or charge for the use of the public transportation system
that is not paid incurs a penalty, not to exceed $100.
(c) The authority shall post signs designating each area in
which a person is prohibited from using the transportation system
without possession of evidence showing that the appropriate fare
has been paid.
(d) A person commits an offense if:
(1) the person or another for whom the person is
criminally responsible under Section 7.02, Penal Code, uses the
public transportation system and does not possess evidence showing
that the appropriate fare has been paid; and
(2) the person fails to pay the appropriate fare or
other charge for the use of the public transportation system and any
penalty on the fare on or before the 30th day after the date the
authority notifies the person that the person is required to pay the
amount of the fare or charge and the penalty.
(e) The notice required by Subsection (d)(2) may be included
in a citation issued to the person under Article 14.06, Code of
Criminal Procedure, in connection with an offense relating to the
nonpayment of the appropriate fare or charge for the use of the
public transportation system.
(f) An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class C
misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.