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.