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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to regulation of high occupancy vehicle lanes operated, |
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managed, or maintained by a regional transportation authority; |
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providing penalties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 452, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 452.0613 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 452.0613. ENFORCEMENT OF HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANE |
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USAGE; PENALTIES. (a) An executive committee by resolution may |
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regulate or prohibit improper entrance into, exit from, and vehicle |
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occupancy in high occupancy vehicle lanes operated, managed, or |
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maintained by the authority. |
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(b) An executive committee by resolution may establish |
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reasonable and appropriate methods to enforce regulations or |
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prohibitions established under Subsection (a). |
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(c) An executive committee by resolution may provide that |
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violations regarding improper entrance into, exit from, or vehicle |
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occupancy in high occupancy vehicle lanes operated, managed, or |
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maintained by the authority incur a penalty, not to exceed $100. |
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(d) A person commits an offense if the person fails to pay |
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any designated penalty on or before the 30th day after the date the |
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authority notifies the person that the person is required to pay a |
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penalty for: |
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(1) exiting or entering a high occupancy vehicle lane |
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operated, managed, or maintained by an authority at a location not |
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designated for exit or entrance; or |
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(2) operating a vehicle in or entering a high |
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occupancy vehicle lane operated, managed, or maintained by an |
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authority with fewer than the required number of occupants. |
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(e) The notice required by Subsection (d) may be included in |
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a citation issued to the person by a peace officer under Article |
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14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, in connection with an offense |
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relating to improper use of a high occupancy vehicle lane. |
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(f) An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class C |
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misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |