By:  Barrientos                                                   S.B. No. 129


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain exceptions to the requirement that the operator 
of a motor vehicle operated on a turnpike project pay the proper 
toll or the full amount of the toll.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 361.252, Transportation Code, is amended 
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), the [The] operator 
of a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle, that is 
driven or towed through a toll collection facility shall pay the 
proper toll.
	(e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the department may 
waive the requirement of the payment of a toll or may authorize the 
payment of a reduced toll for any vehicle or class of vehicles.
	SECTION 2.  Section 370.177, Transportation Code, is amended 
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the [The] 
operator of a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle 
as defined by Section 541.201, that is driven or towed through a 
toll collection facility of a turnpike project shall pay the proper 
toll.  The operator of a vehicle who drives or tows a vehicle 
through a toll collection facility and does not pay the proper toll 
commits an offense.  An offense under this subsection is a 
misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.
	(a-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the board may waive 
the requirement of the payment of a toll or may authorize the 
payment of a reduced toll for any vehicle or class of vehicles.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.