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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an exemption from the payment of a toll for an |
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authorized emergency vehicle. |
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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, that is driven |
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or towed through a toll collection facility shall pay the proper |
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toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized |
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emergency vehicle applies 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 or unmarked. |
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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 is exempt from payment |
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of a toll imposed under this chapter regardless of whether the |
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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 or unmarked. |
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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 a police or emergency vehicle |
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that passes through a toll collection facility, whether driven or |
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towed, shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a |
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toll for a police or 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 a police or emergency vehicle or |
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unmarked. |
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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 or unmarked. |
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SECTION 5. 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. |