83R2837 JRR-D
By: Lavender H.B. No. 3425
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to travel information centers operated by the Texas
Department of Transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. 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.
SECTION 2. 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) 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.