S.B. No. 716




AN ACT

relating to causeways, bridges, tunnels, turnpikes, and highways in 
certain counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico and in adjacent 
counties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 284.002, Transportation 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), this chapter 
applies only to a county that:
		(1)  has a population of 50,000 or more and borders the 
Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf;
		(2)  has a population of 1.5 million or more; [or]           
		(3)  is adjacent to a county that has a population of 
1.5 million or more; or
		(4)  borders the United Mexican States.                                
	SECTION 2.  Section 284.003, Transportation Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	Sec. 284.003.  PROJECT AUTHORIZED; CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, 
AND COST.  A county, acting through the commissioners court of the 
county, or a local government corporation, without state approval, 
supervision, or regulation, may:
		(1)  construct, acquire, improve, operate, maintain, 
or pool a project located:
			(A)  exclusively in the county;                                
			(B)  [or] in the county and outside the county; or
			(C)  in one or more counties adjacent to the 
county;                
		(2)  issue tax bonds, revenue bonds, or combination tax 
and revenue bonds to pay the cost of the construction, acquisition, 
or improvement of a project; [or]
		(3)  impose tolls or charges as otherwise authorized by 
this chapter; or
		(4)  construct a bridge over a deep water navigation 
channel if the bridge does not hinder maritime transportation.
	SECTION 3.  Section 284.067, Transportation Code, is amended 
by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as 
follows:
	(d)  Payment of the purchase price, award, or other cost of 
the project may be on the terms to which the commissioners courts of 
the county issuing the bonds and the other county or counties agree. 
Proceeds from bonds issued under this chapter may be used to pay a 
cost incurred under this section.
	(e)  Two-tenths of one percent of the toll revenue shall be 
shared equally between the permanent school fund and the General 
Land Office.  The General Land Office shall use its share for the 
acquisition of real property in a natural state in the county of the 
project.  The acquired land shall be maintained in a natural state.
	SECTION 4.  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.





______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 716 passed the Senate on 
March 26, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that 
the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 27, 2003, by the 
following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 716 passed the House, with 
amendments, on April 25, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, 
Nays 0, two present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor