78R8334 JRJ-D

By:  Estes                                                        S.B. No. 1407



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to regulation of certain information logo signs along 
certain major highways.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 391.001(2), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
		(2)  "Eligible highway" means a highway that:                                 
			(A)  is located outside an urbanized area with a 
population of 50,000 or more[;] and
			[(B)]  qualifies for a maximum speed limit of 65 
miles per hour under 23 U.S.C. Section 154 or, if that law is 
repealed, qualified for a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour 
on the day before the effective date of the repeal; or
			(B)  is a limited-access or controlled-access 
highway located inside an urbanized area with a population of 
50,000 or more.
	SECTION 2.  Section 391.091, Transportation Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	Sec. 391.091.  ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS.  (a) The 
commission shall contract with an individual, firm, group, or 
association in this state to erect and maintain specific 
information logo signs at appropriate locations along an eligible 
highway.
	(b)  A contract under this section shall provide for:                   
		(1)  the assessment of fees to be paid to a contractor 
by a commercial establishment eligible for display on the specific 
information logo sign; and
		(2)  remittance to the department of 10 percent of the 
fees collected by the contractor.
	SECTION 3.  Section 391.0935, Transportation Code, is 
amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (f) and 
(g) to read as follows:
	(c)  A major shopping area that has its name displayed on a 
major shopping area guide sign shall reimburse the commission for 
all costs associated with the composition, placement, erection, and 
maintenance of the sign unless the commission has entered into a 
contract under Subsection (f).
	(f)  The commission may contract with an individual, firm, 
group, or association in this state to erect and maintain major 
shopping area guide signs at appropriate locations along an 
eligible urban highway.
	(g)  A contract under this section shall provide for:                   
		(1)  the assessment of fees to be paid to a contractor 
by a major shopping area; and
		(2)  remittance to the department of 10 percent of the 
fees collected by the contractor.
	SECTION 4.  Section 391.097(c), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(c)  A contract under this section shall provide for:                          
		(1)  the assessment of fees to be paid to a contractor 
by a commercial establishment of a major agricultural interest;  
and
		(2)  remittance to the department of 10 percent [a 
portion] of the fees collected by the contractor [in an amount 
sufficient to recover the department's costs of administering the 
program].
	SECTION 5.  (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                       
	(b)  The changes in law made to Sections 391.091, 391.0935, 
and 391.097(c), Transportation Code, by this Act, apply only to a 
contract entered into on or after the effective date of this Act.