83R7942 JRR-D
By: Lavender H.B. No. 3424
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to maintenance and operation of travel information centers
by the Texas Department of Transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Effective September 1, 2013, Section 156.251(d),
Tax Code, is amended to read as follows:
(d) An amount equal to the amount of revenue derived from
the collection of taxes imposed by this chapter at a rate of
one-half of one percent shall be allocated in the general revenue
fund to be used for media advertising and other marketing
activities of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and
for the operation of travel information centers by the Texas
Department of Transportation. Section 403.095 [Division of the
Texas Department of Commerce. Section 403.094(h)], Government
Code, does not apply to funds described in this section. [This
subsection takes effect October 1, 1994.]
SECTION 2. Section 204.003, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 204.003. TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTERS. (a) In this
section, "travel information center" means an information center
located at a principal gateway of this state that provides [The
department shall maintain and operate travel information centers at
the principal gateways to this state to provide] highway
information, travel guidance, and descriptive material designed to
assist the traveling public and stimulate travel to and within this
state.
(b) The department may:
(1) transfer to a local government the operation of a
travel information center located in the local government's
boundaries; or
(2) issue a request for proposals to private and
nonprofit entities for the operation of a travel information
center.
(c) The department may maintain and operate the center as a
rest area without staff if:
(1) a local government does not assume the operation
of a travel information center under Subsection (b)(1); or
(2) the department finds none of the offers from its
request for proposals acceptable or is unable to comply with
federal law in issuing a contract under Subsection (b)(2).
(d) This section does not apply to a travel information
center located at the State Capitol.
SECTION 3. Section 204.004, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 204.004. PAYMENT OF COSTS. The department may pay from
highway revenues the cost, including the administration and
operation cost, of:
(1) developing, publishing, and distributing
material; [and]
(2) maintaining [and operating] travel information
centers; and
(3) maintaining and operating a travel information
center as an unstaffed rest area under Section 204.003(c).
SECTION 4. Section 204.009, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 204.009. SALE OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL
ADVERTISING SPACE. (a) The department may sell promotional items
such as calendars, books, prints, caps, light clothing, or other
items approved by the commission that advertise the resources of
this state.
(b) The department may sell commercial advertising space in
a travel information center if the advertising is displayed solely
within the travel information center and is not legible from the
highway.
(c) If the department sells commercial advertising space
under Subsection (b), the department shall set rates for commercial
advertising and other services available at a travel information
center at a level that generates receipts approximately sufficient
to cover the cost of its travel and information operations.
(d) All proceeds from the sale of the items and commercial
advertising space shall be deposited in a separate account in [to
the credit of] the state highway fund for the department's use in
its travel and information operations.
(e) [(c)] Section 403.095, Government Code, does not apply
to money deposited under this section.
(f) The department may not engage in any activities
authorized under this section that would decrease the amount of
federal highway funding available to the department.
SECTION 5. Except as otherwise provided by this Act:
(1) 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; and
(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.