79R12477 JTS-F


By:  Krusee                                                       H.B. No. 2655

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2655:                                   

By:  Phillips                                                 C.S.H.B. No. 2655



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to regional mobility authorities.                                    
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 370.003(14), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
		(14)  "Transportation project" means:                                         
			(A)  a turnpike project;                                                     
			(B)  a system;                                                               
			(C)  a passenger or freight rail facility, 
including:                      
				(i)  tracks;                                                                
				(ii)  a rail line;                                                          
				(iii)  switching, signaling, or other 
operating equipment;                
				(iv)  a depot;                                                              
				(v)  a locomotive;                                                          
				(vi)  rolling stock;                                                        
				(vii)  a maintenance facility; and                                          
				(viii)  other real and personal property 
associated with a rail operation;
			(D)  a roadway with a functional classification 
greater than a local road or rural minor collector;
			(E)  a ferry;                                                                
			(F)  an airport, other than an airport that on 
September 1, 2005, was served by one or more air carriers engaged in 
scheduled interstate air transportation, as those terms were 
defined by 14 C.F.R. Section 1.1 on that date;
			(G)  a pedestrian or bicycle facility;                                       
			(H)  an intermodal hub;                                                      
			(I)  an automated conveyor belt for the movement 
of freight;               
			(J)  a border crossing inspection station;                                   
			(K)  an air quality improvement initiative;                                  
			(L)  a public utility facility; and                                          
			(M)  if applicable, projects and programs listed 
in the most recently approved state implementation plan for the 
area covered by the authority, including an early action compact.
	SECTION 2.  Section 370.177(i), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(i)  In the prosecution of an offense under this section, 
proof that the vehicle passed through a toll collection facility 
without payment of the proper toll together with proof that the 
defendant was the registered owner or the driver of the vehicle when 
the failure to pay occurred, establishes the nonpayment of the 
registered owner.  The proof may be by testimony of a peace officer 
or authority employee, video surveillance, or any other reasonable 
evidence, including evidence obtained by automated enforcement 
technology that the authority determines is necessary, including 
automated enforcement technology described by Sections 361.256(a) 
and (b).
	SECTION 3.  Section 370.178, Transportation Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
	(d)  Transponder customer account information, including 
contact and payment information and trip data, is confidential and 
not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
	SECTION 4.  Section 370.252, Transportation Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
	(f)  In addition to the prohibitions and restrictions of this 
section, directors are subject to Chapter 171, Local Government 
Code.
	SECTION 5.  Section 370.262(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Chapter 551, Government Code, does not prohibit any open 
or closed meeting of the board, a committee of the board, or the 
staff, or any combination of the board or staff, from being held by 
telephone conference call. The board may hold an open or closed 
meeting by telephone conference call subject to the requirements of 
Sections 551.125(c)-(f), Government Code, but is not subject to the 
requirements of Subsection (b) of that section.
	SECTION 6.  Section 370.163(b), Transportation Code, is 
repealed.            
	SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.