84R11206 JTS-F
 
  By: Lucio III H.B. No. 3358
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to municipal regulation of passenger transportation for
  compensation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 215.004, Local Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 215.004.  PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR
  COMPENSATION [TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES].
         SECTION 2.  Sections 215.004(a), (a-1), (b), and (c), Local
  Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, a
  municipality by ordinance:
               (1)  except as provided by Subdivision (2), shall
  license, control, and otherwise regulate each private passenger
  vehicle, regardless of how it is propelled, that provides passenger
  [taxicab] transportation services for compensation and is designed
  for carrying no more than eight passengers; and
               (2)  may license, control, and otherwise regulate each
  private passenger vehicle, regardless of how it is propelled, that
  provides passenger limousine transportation services for
  compensation and is designed for carrying no more than 15
  passengers.
         (a-1)  Subsection (a) applies to a passenger transportation
  [taxicab or limousine] service that provides passenger
  transportation services for compensation to passengers [is
  operated]:
               (1)  within the jurisdiction of the municipality;
               (2)  on property owned by the municipality, singly or
  jointly with one or more other municipalities or public agencies;
               (3)  on property in which the municipality possesses an
  ownership interest; or
               (4)  by transporting from the municipality, municipal
  property, or property in which the municipality has an interest and
  returning to it.
         (b)  The ordinance may include:
               (1)  regulation of the entry into the business of
  providing passenger [taxicab or limousine] transportation services
  for compensation[, including controls, limits, or other
  restrictions on the total number of persons providing the
  services];
               (2)  regulation of the rates charged for the provision
  of the services;
               (3)  establishment of safety and insurance
  requirements; and
               (4)  any other requirement adopted to ensure safe and
  reliable passenger transportation service.
         (c)  In regulating passenger [taxicab or limousine]
  transportation services for compensation under this section, a
  municipality is performing a governmental function. A municipality
  may carry out the provisions of this section to the extent the
  governing body of the municipality considers it necessary or
  appropriate.
         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, 2015.