78R12441 DWS-F
By: Krusee H.B. No. 3588
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the construction, acquisition, financing, maintenance,
management, operation, ownership, and control of transportation
facilities and the progress, improvement, policing, and safety of
transportation in the state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 201.601, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) The department shall develop a statewide transportation
plan to expand and improve transportation facilities and operation
in this state. The plan must include [that contains] all modes of
transportation, including:
(1) highways and turnpikes;
(2) aviation;
(3) mass transportation;
(4) railroads and high-speed railroads; and
(5) water traffic.
(c) The transportation plan must provide for the provision
and maintenance of transportation facilities and the operation of
the state transportation system by the state, local governments,
regional mobility authorities, and other local authorities. The
plan may provide for appropriate financing methods, including bonds
and other forms of borrowing. The department and other entities
involved in the state transportation plan shall take necessary
action and cooperate to implement the plan.
SECTION 2. Section 221.001(1), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(1) "Highway" includes a free or toll public road or
part of a public road and a bridge, culvert, or other necessary
structure related to a public road, including a rail line,
pipeline, communication line, or utility line installed in
conjunction with a public road.
SECTION 3. Section 361.003(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission by order may authorize the creation of a
regional mobility authority for the purposes of constructing,
maintaining, and operating a turnpike project in a region of this
state. The order may provide for the methods by which an authority
may raise revenue and acquire property and other appropriate powers
and duties of the authority.
SECTION 4. Section 455.004, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) A provider of public transportation, in conducting its
operations, shall consider the advice and recommendations of the
public transportation advisory committee.
SECTION 5. Subchapter R, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 521.427 to read as follows:
Sec. 521.427. DISPOSITION OF FEES. Notwithstanding any
other law, a fee collected in connection with the issuance,
renewal, or reinstatement of a driver's license, commercial
driver's license, or personal identification certificate may be
used only for a purpose for which revenues are dedicated under
Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
SECTION 6. Chapter 750, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Section 750.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 750.004. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE. An
entity enforcing or administering this title shall to the extent
possible use methods that best provide for efficient operation of
the state transportation system and the safety of persons using
that system.
SECTION 7. Section 3(a), Chapter 1244, Acts of the 77th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6550c-2, Vernon's
Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission may authorize the department to
construct or acquire rail facilities at locations and on routes the
commission determines to be feasible and viable for continued rail
transportation service in this state.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.