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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the definition of certain authorized emergency vehicles |
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and to an exemption from the payment of a toll for those vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 228.054(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the operator of a |
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vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by |
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Section 541.201, that is driven or towed through a toll collection |
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facility shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a |
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toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of |
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whether the vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as an emergency vehicle. |
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SECTION 2. Section 284.070, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
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(e) An authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by Section |
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541.201, is exempt from payment of a toll imposed under this chapter |
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regardless of whether the vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as an emergency vehicle. |
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SECTION 3. Section 366.178(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A motor vehicle other than an authorized emergency |
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vehicle, as defined by Section 541.201, [a police or emergency
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vehicle] that passes through a toll collection facility, whether |
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driven or towed, shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from |
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payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies |
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regardless of whether the vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as a police or emergency vehicle. |
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SECTION 4. Section 370.177(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the operator of |
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a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle as defined by |
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Section 541.201, that is driven or towed through a toll collection |
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facility of a turnpike project shall pay the proper toll. The |
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operator of a vehicle who drives or tows a vehicle through a toll |
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collection facility and does not pay the proper toll commits an |
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offense. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. The exemption from payment |
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of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of |
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whether the vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as an emergency vehicle. |
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SECTION 5. Section 541.201, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subdivision (13-a) to read as follows: |
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(13-a) "Police vehicle" means a vehicle of a |
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governmental entity primarily used by a peace officer, as defined |
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by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, for law enforcement |
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purposes. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |