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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of state travel information centers by |
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private and nonprofit entities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 204.003, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 204.003. TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTERS. (a) In this |
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section, "travel information center" means an information center |
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located at a principal gateway of this state that provides [The
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department shall maintain and operate travel information centers at
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the principal gateways to this state to provide] highway |
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information, travel guidance, and descriptive material designed to |
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assist the traveling public and stimulate travel to and within this |
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state. |
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(b) The department shall issue a request for proposals to |
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private and nonprofit entities for the operation of a travel |
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information center. |
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(c) The department shall maintain and operate the center as |
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a rest area without staff if the department finds none of the offers |
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from its request for proposals acceptable or is unable to comply |
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with federal law in issuing a contract under this section. |
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(d) This section does not apply to a travel information |
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center located at the State Capitol. |
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SECTION 2. Section 204.004, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 204.004. PAYMENT OF COSTS. (a) The department may pay |
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from highway revenues the cost, including the administration and |
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operation cost, of: |
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(1) developing, publishing, and distributing |
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material; and |
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(2) maintaining and operating travel information |
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centers. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(2), the department may |
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not pay from highway revenues the cost, including the |
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administration and operation cost, of operating a travel |
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information center on or after August 31, 2014, provided that the |
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department may pay for the cost of maintaining and operating a |
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travel information center as an unstaffed rest area. |
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SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Transportation shall |
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initiate the process of contracting the operation of travel |
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information centers to a private or nonprofit entity not later than |
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September 1, 2013. The department shall contract for the operation |
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of travel information centers or cease staffing the travel |
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information centers as required by Section 204.003, Transportation |
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Code, as amended by this Act, not later than August 31, 2014. |
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SECTION 4. 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, 2013. |