85R2984 JAM-D

By: Thompson of Brazoria H.B. No. 3184

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from payment of tolls for certain vehicles.

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

SECTION 1. Section 228.054(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e) or Section 228.0545, the operator of a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [, as defined by Section 541.201], that is driven or towed through a toll collection facility shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is:

(1) responding to an emergency;

(2) displaying a flashing light; or

(3) marked as an emergency vehicle.

SECTION 2. Section 284.070, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) A vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under Subchapter J, Chapter 502, is exempt from payment of a toll imposed under this chapter.

SECTION 3. Section 366.178, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) A motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [, as defined by Section 541.201], that passes through a toll assessment facility, whether driven or towed, shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is:

(1) responding to an emergency;

(2) displaying a flashing light; or

(3) marked as a police or emergency vehicle.

(a-1) In this section, "authorized emergency vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 541.201.

SECTION 4. Sections 370.177(a) and (k), Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the operator of a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle that is exempt from payment of registration fees under Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [as defined by Section 541.201], that is driven or towed through a toll collection facility of a turnpike project shall pay the proper toll. The operator of a vehicle who drives or tows a vehicle through a toll collection facility and does not pay the proper toll commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is:

(1) responding to an emergency;

(2) displaying a flashing light; or

(3) marked as an emergency vehicle.

(k) In this section:

(1) "Authorized emergency vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 541.201.

(2) "Registered [, "registered] owner" means the owner of a vehicle as shown on the vehicle registration records of the department or the analogous department or agency of another state or country.

SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only to the collection of a toll incurred on or after the effective date of this Act. The collection of a toll incurred before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.