HBA-NLM S.B. 1677 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1677
By: Bernsen
Transportation
5/17/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
to accept payment by credit card for services is limited. Payment by credit
card has become a common and acceptable form of payment for many services.
S.B. 1677 authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt rules
regarding the method of fee payment for certain goods, services, and
programs provided by TxDOT.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Transportation Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 201.208, Transportation Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by
adding Section 201.208, as follows: 

Sec. 201.208.  PAYMENT OF FEES FOR DEPARTMENT GOODS AND SERVICES.
Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt rules regarding the
method of payment of a fee for certain goods sold or services provided by
the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or  for the administration
of any TxDOT program. Specifies that the rules may authorize the use of
electronic funds transfer or a valid credit card, and require the payment
of a discount or service charge for a credit card payment in addition to
the fee. Requires revenue generated from payments of such discount or
service charges to be deposited in the state highway fund. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
                       Effective upon passage.