HBA-NRS S.B. 1109 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1109
By: Bernsen
Transportation
5/17/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, some motorists experience delays due to congestion on the ferry
service to the Bolivar Peninsula. Senate Bill 1109 allows an owner of a
motor vehicle who obtains a ferry sticker priority boarding on the ferry
service to and from the Bolivar Peninsula.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Transportation
in SECTION 1 (Section 342.503, Transportation Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1109 amends the Transportation Code to authorize an owner of a
registered motor vehicle to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) for issuance of a sticker for the vehicle that entitles the vehicle
to have priority in boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry operated by
TxDOT. The bill requires TxDOT to design the sticker and designate the
place where a sticker must be affixed to the windshield of the motor
vehicle for which it is issued. The bill provides an annual fee for a ferry
vehicle sticker of $50 if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle or $30
if the vehicle is any other type of motor vehicle. The bill requires TxDOT
to deposit the annual fees to the credit of the state highway fund. The
bill authorizes TxDOT to adopt rules to administer these provisions and
requires TxDOT to prescribe forms necessary to administer the issuance of
ferry vehicle stickers for the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.