BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2294
85R28168 BEE-D	By: Lucio
	Transportation
	5/15/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, a regional mobility authority�s (RMA�s) toll project may require publicschool buses to pay a toll for the use of an authority toll project. S.B. 2294 proposes that an RMA may not collect a toll for the use of a toll project, if the public school bus is exempt from registration fees under Section 502.453, Transportation code. The bill also maintains the RMA�s right to set policy on school bus� use of certain facilities such as "managed" and "express" lanes.

As proposed, S.B. 2294 amends current law relating to the use of regional mobility authority toll projects by public school buses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 370, Transportation Code, by adding Section 370.194, as follows:

Sec. 370.194. USE OF TOLL PROJECTS BY PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES. (a) Prohibits a regional mobility authority (RMA) from requiring a school bus exempt from registration fees under Section 502.453 (Government-Owned Vehicles; Public School Buses; Fire-Fighting Vehicles; County Marine Law Enforcement Vehicles; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Vehicles) to pay a toll for use of an RMA toll project.

(b) Provides that this section does not affect the ability of an RMA to adopt policies or rules regarding the use of the RMA�s facilities, including policies or rules prohibiting the use of the RMA�s facilities by vehicles unable to maintain minimum designated travel speeds.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.