S.B. No. 249




AN ACT

relating to the use of the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry and the Port 
Aransas ferry operated by the Texas Department of Transportation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 342, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 342.004 to read as follows:
	Sec. 342.004.  GALVESTON-PORT BOLIVAR FERRY AND PORT ARANSAS 
FERRY VEHICLE STICKERS.  (a)  The department may adopt rules to 
establish a system under which an owner of a motor vehicle may apply 
to the department for issuance of:
		(1)  a sticker for the vehicle that entitles the 
vehicle to have priority in boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar 
ferry operated by the department; or
		(2)  a sticker for the vehicle that entitles the 
vehicle to have priority in boarding the Port Aransas ferry 
operated by the department.
	(b)  Any rules adopted under this section must:                         
		(1)  establish a design for the sticker for each ferry;                
		(2)  designate the place where a sticker must be 
affixed to the windshield of the motor vehicle for which it is 
issued;
		(3)  establish an annual fee for a ferry vehicle 
sticker;            
		(4)  prescribe forms necessary for the administration 
of this section; and
		(5)  ensure that a vehicle displaying a sticker issued 
under this section is given priority in boarding the applicable 
ferry only until the ferry reaches 50 percent of its vehicle 
capacity.
	(c)  The department shall deposit each fee collected under 
this section to the credit of the state highway fund.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           





______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 249 passed the Senate on 
April 16, 2003, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred 
in House amendments on May 20, 2003, by a viva-voce vote.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 249 passed the House, with 
amendments, on May 6, 2003, by a non-record vote.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor