85R6039 BEE-D
 
  By: Villalba H.B. No. 925
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of the booting of vehicles; imposing an
  administrative penalty; changing a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2308.2085, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (d), a [A] municipality may
  regulate the fees that may be charged in connection with the booting
  of a vehicle, including associated parking fees.
         (d)  The fee that may be charged for the removal of a boot may
  not exceed $100.
         SECTION 2.  Section 2308.257, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A parking facility owner may, without the consent of the
  owner or operator of an unauthorized vehicle, cause a boot to be
  installed on the vehicle in the parking facility if:
               (1)  the vehicle has been parked, stored, or located on
  the parking facility continuously for one hour or longer; and
               (2)  signs that comply with Subchapter G prohibiting
  unauthorized vehicles are located on the parking facility at the
  time of the booting and for the preceding 24 hours and remain
  installed at the time of the booting.
         (b)  A boot operator that installs a boot on a vehicle must
  affix a conspicuous notice to the vehicle's front windshield or
  driver's side window stating:
               (1)  that the vehicle has been booted and damage may
  occur if the vehicle is moved;
               (2)  the date and time the boot was installed;
               (3)  the name, address, and telephone number of the
  booting company;
               (4)  a telephone number that is answered 24 hours a day
  to enable the owner or operator of the vehicle to arrange for
  removal of the boot;
               (5)  the amount of the fee for removal of the boot and
  any associated parking fees; [and]
               (6)  notice of the right of a vehicle owner or vehicle
  operator to a hearing under Subchapter J; and
               (7)  in the manner prescribed by the department, notice
  of the procedure to file a complaint with the department for
  violation of this chapter by a boot operator.
         (b-1)  No more than one boot may be installed on a vehicle at
  any time.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter F, Chapter 2308, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2308.258 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2308.258.  BOOT REMOVAL. (a) A booting company
  responsible for the installation of a boot on a vehicle shall remove
  the boot not later than one hour after the time the owner or
  operator of the vehicle contacts the company to request removal of
  the boot.
         (b)  A booting company shall waive the amount of the fee for
  removal of a boot, excluding any associated parking fees, if the
  company fails to have the boot removed within the time prescribed by
  Subsection (a).
         SECTION 4.  Section 2308.501, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1) The commission shall impose an administrative penalty
  on a booting company under Subchapter F, Chapter 51, if the company
  violates Section 2308.258.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter K, Chapter 2308, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2308.5031 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2308.5031.  MANDATORY REVOCATION OF BOOTING COMPANY
  LICENSE.  The commission shall revoke the license of a booting
  company under Subchapter G, Chapter 51, if the company violates
  Section 2308.258 more than twice in a five-year period.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.