Bill Text: TX HB1054 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a prohibition on converting a nontolled state highway or segment of the state highway system to a toll project.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-02 - Left pending in committee [HB1054 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB1054-Introduced.html
  83R6058 JAM-F
 
  By: Lavender H.B. No. 1054
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a prohibition on converting a nontolled state highway
  or segment of the state highway system to a toll project.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 228.201, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 228.201. LIMITATION ON TOLL FACILITY DESIGNATION.  The
  [(a)  Except as provided by Section 228.2015, the] department may
  not operate a nontolled state highway or a segment of a nontolled
  state highway as a toll project, and may not transfer a nontolled 
  highway or segment to another entity for operation as a toll
  project[, unless:
               [(1)     the commission by order designated the highway or
  segment as a toll project before the contract to construct the
  highway or segment was awarded;
               [(2)     the highway or segment was open to traffic as a
  turnpike project on or before September 1, 2005;
               [(3)     the project was designated as a toll project in a
  plan or program of a metropolitan planning organization on or
  before September 1, 2005;
               [(4)     the highway or segment is reconstructed so that
  the number of nontolled lanes on the highway or segment is greater
  than or equal to the number in existence before the reconstruction;
               [(5)     a facility is constructed adjacent to the highway
  or segment so that the number of nontolled lanes on the converted
  highway or segment and the adjacent facility together is greater
  than or equal to the number in existence on the converted highway or
  segment before the conversion;
               [(6)     subject to Subsection (b), the highway or segment
  was open to traffic as a high-occupancy vehicle lane on May 1, 2005;
  or
               [(7)     the commission converts the highway or segment to
  a toll facility by:
                     [(A)     making the determination required by
  Section 228.202;
                     [(B)     conducting the hearing required by Section
  228.203; and
                     [(C)     obtaining county and voter approval as
  required by Sections 228.207 and 228.208].
         [(b)     The department may operate or transfer a
  high-occupancy vehicle lane under Subsection (a)(6) as a tolled
  lane only if the department or other entity operating the lane
  allows vehicles occupied by a specified number of passengers to use
  the lane without paying a toll.]
         SECTION 2.  Sections 228.202, 228.203, 228.204, 228.205,
  228.206, 228.207, and 228.208, Transportation Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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