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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an exemption from payment of tolls for certain |
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vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 228.054(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e) or Section |
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228.0545, the operator of a vehicle, other than an authorized |
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emergency vehicle or a vehicle exempt from payment of registration |
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fees under Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [, as defined by Section
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541.201], that is driven or towed through a toll collection |
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facility shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a |
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toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of |
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whether the vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as an emergency vehicle. |
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SECTION 2. Section 284.070, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) A vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under |
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Subchapter J, Chapter 502, is exempt from payment of a toll imposed |
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under this chapter. |
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SECTION 3. Section 366.178, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) A motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency |
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vehicle or a vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under |
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Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [, as defined by Section 541.201], that |
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passes through a toll assessment facility, whether driven or towed, |
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shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for |
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an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the |
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vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as a police or emergency vehicle. |
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(a-1) In this section, "authorized emergency vehicle" has |
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the meaning assigned by Section 541.201. |
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SECTION 4. Sections 370.177(a) and (k), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the operator of |
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a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle |
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that is exempt from payment of registration fees under Subchapter |
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J, Chapter 502 [as defined by Section 541.201], that is driven or |
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towed through a toll collection facility of a turnpike project |
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shall pay the proper toll. The operator of a vehicle who drives or |
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tows a vehicle through a toll collection facility and does not pay |
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the proper toll commits an offense. An offense under this |
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subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. |
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The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency |
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vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is: |
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(1) responding to an emergency; |
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(2) displaying a flashing light; or |
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(3) marked as an emergency vehicle. |
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(k) In this section: |
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(1) "Authorized emergency vehicle" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 541.201. |
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(2) "Registered [, "registered] owner" means the owner |
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of a vehicle as shown on the vehicle registration records of the |
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department or the analogous department or agency of another state |
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or country. |
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SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to the collection of a toll incurred on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. The collection of a toll incurred before the effective |
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date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before |
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the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |