80R10917 JTS-D
 
  By: Raymond, Guillen, Oliveira, Lucio III, H.B. No. 2600
      Escobar
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to international railroad toll bridges in certain
counties.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 364, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 364.0001 to read as follows:
       Sec. 364.0001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "bridge"
includes a bridge used by vehicles, pedestrians, or railroads, or a
combination of vehicles, pedestrians, or railroads.
       SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 364, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 364.004 to read as follows:
       Sec. 364.004.  AGREEMENTS RELATING TO TOLL BRIDGE. (a)  A
county may enter into and make payments under an agreement with a
private entity or another governmental entity to acquire,
construct, maintain, or operate a toll bridge, including an
international toll bridge, and a private or governmental entity in
this state may enter into an agreement with a county for that
purpose.
       (b)  In connection with or in support of an agreement entered
into under Subsection (a), the county may enter into a lease, an
operating agreement, a service agreement, a license agreement, a
franchise agreement, or a similar agreement with a private entity
or another governmental entity.
       SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.