BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1311
86R768 JAM-D	By: Bettencourt
	Transportation
	3/18/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1311 would allow toll road authorities to communicate with their customers via alternative means other than the United States postal system. Under current law, they may only communicate via the United States Postal Service. The toll road authority will have to get permission from the recipient to communicate via alternative methods. As technology advances, toll road authorities should be able to notify customers via phone, texts, emails, etc.

As proposed, S.B. 1311 amends current law relating to the electronic transmission of an invoice or notice of toll nonpayment by a toll project entity.

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 C, Chapter 284, Transportation Code, by adding Section 284.0703, as follows:

Sec. 284.0703. METHOD OF SENDING INVOICE OR NOTICE. Authorizes a county, as authorized under Section 322.008(d)(2) (relating to authorized communications other than by mail in certain circumstances), Business & Commerce Code, to provide an invoice or notice required under this chapter to be sent by first class mail instead as an electronic record if the recipient of the information agrees to the transmission of the information as an electronic record and on terms acceptable to the recipient.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 370.177, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (n), as follows:

(n) Authorizes a regional mobility authority, as authorized under Section 322.008(d)(2), Business & Commerce Code, to provide an invoice or notice required under this section to be sent by first class mail instead as an electronic record if the recipient of the information agrees to the transmission of the information as an electronic record and on terms acceptable to the recipient.

SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 372, Transportation Code, by adding Section 372.116, as follows:

Sec. 372.116. METHOD OF SENDING INVOICE OR NOTICE. Authorizes a toll project entity, as authorized under Section 322.008(d)(2), Business & Commerce Code, to provide an invoice or notice required under this subchapter to be sent by first class mail instead as an electronic record if the recipient of the information agrees to the transmission of the information as an electronic record and on terms acceptable to the recipient.

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SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2019.