By: Zaffirini  S.B. No. 893
         (In the Senate - Filed February 26, 2007; March 7, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and
  Homeland Security; March 27, 2007, reported adversely, with
  favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 8,
  Nays 0; March 27, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 893 By:  Brimer
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to international 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.  (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (b), in this chapter, "bridge" includes a bridge used by
  vehicles, pedestrians, or railroads, or a combination of vehicles,
  pedestrians, or railroads.
         (b)  For the purposes of this chapter, "bridge" does not
  include a railroad bridge in a county with a population of more than
  675,000.
         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.
         (c)  This section does not apply to a county with a
  population of more than 675,000.
         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.
 
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