Bill Text: TX HB2482 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Relating to the authority of certain counties to operate a roadway clearance program; creating an offense.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-08 - Placed on General State Calendar [HB2482 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB2482-Comm_Sub.html
85R21266 JTS-D | |||
By: Miller, Zerwas, Reynolds | H.B. No. 2482 | ||
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2482: | |||
By: Hunter | C.S.H.B. No. 2482 |
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relating to the authority of certain counties to operate a roadway | ||
clearance program; creating an offense. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 2308, Occupations Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 2308.210 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 2308.210. ROADWAY CLEARANCE PROGRAM IN CERTAIN | ||
COUNTIES; OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "freeway" has the meaning | ||
assigned by Section 541.302, Transportation Code. | ||
(b) The commissioners court of a county adjacent to a county | ||
with a population of more than 3.3 million by order may establish a | ||
program: | ||
(1) for maintaining the safe movement of traffic on | ||
county freeways; and | ||
(2) under which a peace officer designated by the | ||
sheriff's office or the commissioners court is authorized to | ||
direct, at the scene of an incident or remotely, a towing company, | ||
only for the purpose of the program, to: | ||
(A) remove from a freeway, including the shoulder | ||
of a freeway, a vehicle that is impeding the safe movement of | ||
traffic; and | ||
(B) relocate the vehicle to the closest safe | ||
location for the vehicle to be stored. | ||
(c) An order under Subsection (b) must ensure the protection | ||
of the public and the safe and efficient operation of towing and | ||
storage services in the county. | ||
(d) The commissioners court of a county operating a program | ||
under this section: | ||
(1) may enter into an agreement with a federal agency, | ||
state agency, municipality, adjacent county, metropolitan rapid | ||
transit authority, or regional planning organization or any other | ||
governmental entity for the purpose of carrying out the program; | ||
and | ||
(2) may apply for grants and other funding to carry out | ||
the program. | ||
(e) A towing company or towing operator commits an offense | ||
if the company or operator violates a provision of an order | ||
establishing a program under this section relating to: | ||
(1) the presence of a tow truck at the scene of an | ||
incident on a freeway or other area under the jurisdiction of the | ||
program; or | ||
(2) the offering of towing or related services on a | ||
freeway or other area under the jurisdiction of the program. | ||
(f) An offense under Subsection (e) is a misdemeanor | ||
punishable by a fine of not less than $1 or more than $200. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |