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79R6318 MTB-D


By:  Seaman                                                       H.B. No. 1741



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation by certain municipalities and powers of 
regional mobility authorities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 370, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 370.0311 to read as follows:
	Sec. 370.0311.  CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. (a) This section 
applies to a municipality:
		(1)  with a population of 5,000 or less; and                           
		(2)  in which a ferry system that is a part of the state 
highway system is located.
	(b)  A municipality has the same authority as a county under 
this chapter to create and participate in an authority.
	(c)  A municipality that creates or participates in an 
authority has the same powers and duties as a county that creates or 
participates in an authority under this chapter.
	(d)  The governing body of a municipality that creates or 
participates in an authority has the same powers and duties as a 
commissioners court of a county that creates or participates in an 
authority under this chapter.
	(e)  An elected member of the governing body of a 
municipality that creates or participates in an authority has the 
same powers and duties as a commissioner of a county that creates or 
participates in an authority under this chapter.
	SECTION 2.  Section 370.037(h), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(h)  An authority may permanently [temporarily] charge a 
toll for use of a ferry transferred under this section [to pay the 
costs necessary for an expansion of the ferry.  An authority may 
permanently charge a toll for use of ferry facilities that are an 
expansion of the ferry transferred under this section].  An 
authority may permanently charge a fee or toll for priority use of 
ferry facilities under Section 370.193.
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter E, Chapter 370, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 370.193 to read as follows:
	Sec. 370.193.  PRIORITY BOARDING OF FERRY. An authority may 
establish a system under which an owner of a motor vehicle may pay 
an additional fee or toll that entitles the vehicle to have priority 
in boarding a ferry operated by the authority.
	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, 2005.