79R3998 MTB-F

By:  Talton                                                       H.B. No. 1437



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the towing of motor vehicles at the request of certain 
municipal employees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 502.003, Transportation Code, is amended 
by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to read as 
follows:
	(b)  This section does not affect the authority of a 
municipality to:        
		(1)  license and regulate the use of motor vehicles for 
compensation within the municipal limits;  [and]
		(2)  impose a permit fee or street rental charge for the 
operation of each motor vehicle used to transport passengers for 
compensation, other than a motor vehicle operating under a 
registration certificate from the department or a permit from the 
federal Surface Transportation Board; and
		(3)  impose any type of fee or charge on a towing 
company related to the towing of a motor vehicle at the request of a 
peace officer or other authorized person employed by the 
municipality.
	(e)  This section does not impair the payment provisions of 
an agreement or franchise between a municipality and a towing 
company related to towing motor vehicles owned or operated by the 
municipality.
	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, 2005.