79R1772 JD-D

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 370.177(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 370.1771, 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.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 370, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 370.1771 to read as follows:
	Sec. 370.1771.  EXCEPTION TO TOLL REQUIREMENT.  (a)  Section 
370.177(a) does not apply to the operator of:
		(1)  an authorized emergency vehicle as defined by 
Section 541.201;  
		(2)  a school bus transporting students to or from a 
public school or in connection with a public school activity; or
		(3)  a vehicle owned or operated by a public transit 
agency that has contributed to the cost of construction of the 
turnpike project, including a transit agency that donated land or 
right-of-way for the project.
	(b)  The board may waive the requirement of the payment of a 
toll or may authorize the payment of a reduced toll for vehicles or 
classes of vehicles that are owned or operated by a public transit 
authority not described by Subsection (a)(3).
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.