Bill Text: TX SB1617 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to municipal regulation of passenger transportation for compensation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-23 - Referred to Business & Commerce [SB1617 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SB1617-Introduced.html

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84R11206 JTS-F
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1617

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to municipal regulation of passenger transportation for
compensation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 215.004, Local Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 215.004. PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR
COMPENSATION [TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES].
SECTION 2. Sections 215.004(a), (a-1), (b), and (c), Local
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, a
municipality by ordinance:
(1) except as provided by Subdivision (2), shall
license, control, and otherwise regulate each private passenger
vehicle, regardless of how it is propelled, that provides passenger
[taxicab] transportation services for compensation and is designed
for carrying no more than eight passengers; and
(2) may license, control, and otherwise regulate each
private passenger vehicle, regardless of how it is propelled, that
provides passenger limousine transportation services for
compensation and is designed for carrying no more than 15
passengers.
(a-1) Subsection (a) applies to a passenger transportation
[taxicab or limousine] service that provides passenger
transportation services for compensation to passengers [is
operated]:
(1) within the jurisdiction of the municipality;
(2) on property owned by the municipality, singly or
jointly with one or more other municipalities or public agencies;
(3) on property in which the municipality possesses an
ownership interest; or
(4) by transporting from the municipality, municipal
property, or property in which the municipality has an interest and
returning to it.
(b) The ordinance may include:
(1) regulation of the entry into the business of
providing passenger [taxicab or limousine] transportation services
for compensation[, including controls, limits, or other
restrictions on the total number of persons providing the
services];
(2) regulation of the rates charged for the provision
of the services;
(3) establishment of safety and insurance
requirements; and
(4) any other requirement adopted to ensure safe and
reliable passenger transportation service.
(c) In regulating passenger [taxicab or limousine]
transportation services for compensation under this section, a
municipality is performing a governmental function. A municipality
may carry out the provisions of this section to the extent the
governing body of the municipality considers it necessary or
appropriate.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.