By: Estes  S.B. No. 570
         (In the Senate - Filed February 13, 2015; February 18, 2015,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation;
  March 23, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 2; March 23, 2015,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 570 By:  Huffines
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the use of fireworks at certain Texas Department of
  Transportation rest areas; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter 203,
  Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER F.  USE [LEASE] OF CERTAIN PROPERTY
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 203, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 203.112 to read as follows:
         Sec. 203.112.  PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF FIREWORKS AT
  REST AREA. (a)  In this section, "rest area" means public real
  property designated as a rest area, comfort station, picnic area,
  roadside park, or scenic overlook by the department.
         (b)  The commission by order shall prohibit or restrict the
  use of fireworks at a state highway rest area in the unincorporated
  area of a county if:
               (1)  the commissioners court of the county petitions
  the commission to adopt the order; and
               (2)  the county pays the department for the costs of
  designing, constructing, and erecting signs at the rest area giving
  notice of the order.
         (c)  After an order is adopted under Subsection (b), the
  department shall erect signs at the rest area giving notice of the
  order. If a sign is damaged or destroyed, the department shall
  replace the sign if the county:
               (1)  submits to the department a written request for
  replacement; and
               (2)  pays the department for the costs of constructing
  and replacing the sign.
         (d)  A person who knowingly or intentionally violates a
  prohibition or restriction established by an order adopted under
  this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection
  is a Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
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