85R2984 JAM-D
By: Thompson of Brazoria H.B. No. 3184
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from payment of tolls for certain
vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 228.054(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e) or Section
228.0545, the operator of a vehicle, other than an authorized
emergency vehicle or a vehicle exempt from payment of registration
fees under Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [, as defined by Section
541.201], that is driven or towed through a toll collection
facility shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a
toll for an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of
whether the vehicle is:
(1) responding to an emergency;
(2) displaying a flashing light; or
(3) marked as an emergency vehicle.
SECTION 2. Section 284.070, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) A vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under
Subchapter J, Chapter 502, is exempt from payment of a toll imposed
under this chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 366.178, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
follows:
(a) A motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency
vehicle or a vehicle exempt from payment of registration fees under
Subchapter J, Chapter 502 [, as defined by Section 541.201], that
passes through a toll assessment facility, whether driven or towed,
shall pay the proper toll. The exemption from payment of a toll for
an authorized emergency vehicle applies regardless of whether the
vehicle is:
(1) responding to an emergency;
(2) displaying a flashing light; or
(3) marked as a police or emergency vehicle.
(a-1) In this section, "authorized emergency vehicle" has
the meaning assigned by Section 541.201.
SECTION 4. Sections 370.177(a) and (k), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the operator of
a vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle
that is exempt from payment of registration fees under Subchapter
J, Chapter 502 [as defined by Section 541.201], that is driven or
towed through a toll collection facility of a turnpike project
shall pay the proper toll. The operator of a vehicle who drives or
tows a vehicle through a toll collection facility and does not pay
the proper toll commits an offense. An offense under this
subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.
The exemption from payment of a toll for an authorized emergency
vehicle applies regardless of whether the vehicle is:
(1) responding to an emergency;
(2) displaying a flashing light; or
(3) marked as an emergency vehicle.
(k) In this section:
(1) "Authorized emergency vehicle" has the meaning
assigned by Section 541.201.
(2) "Registered [, "registered] owner" means the owner
of a vehicle as shown on the vehicle registration records of the
department or the analogous department or agency of another state
or country.
SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to the collection of a toll incurred on or after the effective date
of this Act. The collection of a toll incurred before the effective
date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before
the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.