83R2837 JRR-D

By: Lavender H.B. No. 3425

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to travel information centers operated by the Texas Department of Transportation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 204.004, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 204.004. PAYMENT OF COSTS. The department may pay from highway revenues the cost, including the administration and operation cost, of:

(1) developing, publishing, and distributing material; and

(2) maintaining [and operating] travel information centers.

SECTION 2. Section 204.009, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 204.009. SALE OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SPACE. (a) The department may sell promotional items such as calendars, books, prints, caps, light clothing, or other items approved by the commission that advertise the resources of this state.

(b) The department may sell commercial advertising space in a travel information center if the advertising is displayed solely within the travel information center and is not legible from the highway.

(c) The department shall set rates for commercial advertising and other services available at a travel information center at a level that generates receipts approximately sufficient to cover the cost of its travel and information operations.

(d) All proceeds from the sale of the items and commercial advertising space shall be deposited in a separate account in [to the credit of] the state highway fund for the department's use in its travel and information operations.

(e) [(c)] Section 403.095, Government Code, does not apply to money deposited under this section.

(f) The department may not engage in any activities authorized under this section that would decrease the amount of federal highway funding available to the department.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.