BILL ANALYSIS
By: Castro
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Several of Texas’ Metropolitan Transit Authorities (MTA) are considering the creation of special Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems that would allow the mass transit vehicles to travel in some places on dedicated roadways or on restricted pieces of existing roadways. In order to ride on a BRT system a rider shall purchase a ticket at a station from a kiosk and maintain proof of the purchase while on the route. Certain MTAs lack the manpower to enforce fare evasion provisions. CSHB 2715 will allow MTAs to contract with local peace officers to enforce resolutions passed by the board of the MTA.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
Amends Section 451.0611, Transportation code, by adding subsection (g) which states that certain authorities may allow a peace officer of another political subdivision serving under contract with the authority to enforce a resolution passed by a board.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
HB 2715 sought to expand the fare evasion provision of the transportation code to mass transit systems. CSHB 2715 instead allows certain authorities to contract with peace officers to enforce resolutions passed by their board.