By: Paxton S.B. No. 1017
(Lavender)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the funding for and administration of travel and
information operations by the Texas Department of Transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 204.003, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 204.003. TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTERS. (a) 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) enter into an agreement with a local government,
including a commission created under Chapter 391, Local Government
Code, for the operation of a travel information center that is
located within the boundaries of the local government; and
(2) issue a request for proposals to private or
nonprofit entities for the operation of a travel information
center.
(c) The department may sell commercial advertising space at
a travel information center if the advertising is not visible from
the main traveled way of the highway. If the department sells
commercial advertising space, the department shall set rates for
the 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) The department may not engage in an activity authorized
under Subsection (c) or another provision of this chapter that
would decrease the amount of federal highway funding available to
the department.
SECTION 2. The heading to Section 204.009, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 204.009. SALE OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, ADVERTISING, AND
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
SECTION 3. Section 204.009, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as
follows:
(a-1) The department may enter into an agreement for the
acknowledgment of donations if the acknowledgment does not contain
comparative or qualitative descriptions of the donor's products,
services, facilities, or companies.
(b) All proceeds from the sale of the items and advertising
under this chapter and all donations acknowledged under this
section shall be deposited to the credit of a separate account in
the state highway fund. Money in the account is dedicated for the
department's use in its travel and information operations.
SECTION 4. 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.