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  S.B. No. 1017
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the funding for and administration of travel and
  information operations by the Texas Department of Transportation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 204.003, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 204.003.  TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTERS. (a)  The
  department shall maintain and operate travel information centers
  [at the principal gateways to this state] to provide highway
  information, travel guidance, and descriptive material designed to
  assist the traveling public and stimulate travel to and within this
  state.
         (b)  The department may:
               (1)  enter into an agreement with:
                     (A)  another state agency for the operation of a
  travel information center; or
                     (B)  a local government, including a commission
  created under Chapter 391, Local Government Code, for the operation
  of a travel information center that is located within the
  boundaries of the local government; and
               (2)  issue a request for proposals to private or
  nonprofit entities for the operation of a travel information
  center.
         (c)  The department may sell commercial advertising space at
  a travel information center if the advertising is not visible from
  the main traveled way of the highway. If the department sells
  commercial advertising space, the department shall set rates for
  the advertising and other services available at a travel
  information center at a level that generates receipts approximately
  sufficient to cover the cost of its travel and information
  operations.
         (d)  The department may not engage in an activity authorized
  under Subsection (c) or another provision of this chapter that
  would decrease the amount of federal highway funding available to
  the department.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 204.009, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 204.009.  SALE OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, ADVERTISING, AND
  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
         SECTION 3.  Section 204.009, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as
  follows:
         (a-1)  The department may enter into an agreement for the
  acknowledgment of donations if the acknowledgment does not contain
  comparative or qualitative descriptions of the donor's products,
  services, facilities, or companies.
         (b)  All proceeds from the sale of the items and advertising
  under this chapter and all donations acknowledged under this
  section shall be deposited to the credit of a separate account in
  the state highway fund. Money in the account is dedicated for the
  department's use in its travel and information operations.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1017 passed the Senate on
  April 18, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
  May 22, 2013, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 23, 2013, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 26, 2013, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 30,
  Nays 1.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1017 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 20, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 144,
  Nays 0, one present not voting; May 23, 2013, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 26, 2013, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor