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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to municipal regulation of passenger transportation for |
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compensation. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 215.004, Local Government |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 215.004. PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR |
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COMPENSATION [TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES]. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 215.004(a), (a-1), (b), and (c), Local |
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Government Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, a |
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municipality by ordinance: |
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(1) except as provided by Subdivision (2), shall |
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license, control, and otherwise regulate each private passenger |
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vehicle, regardless of how it is propelled, that provides passenger |
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[taxicab] transportation services for compensation and is designed |
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for carrying no more than eight passengers; and |
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(2) may license, control, and otherwise regulate each |
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private passenger vehicle, regardless of how it is propelled, that |
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provides passenger limousine transportation services for |
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compensation and is designed for carrying no more than 15 |
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passengers. |
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(a-1) Subsection (a) applies to a passenger transportation |
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[taxicab or limousine] service that provides passenger |
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transportation services for compensation to passengers [is
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operated]: |
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(1) within the jurisdiction of the municipality; |
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(2) on property owned by the municipality, singly or |
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jointly with one or more other municipalities or public agencies; |
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(3) on property in which the municipality possesses an |
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ownership interest; or |
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(4) by transporting from the municipality, municipal |
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property, or property in which the municipality has an interest and |
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returning to it. |
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(b) The ordinance may include: |
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(1) regulation of the entry into the business of |
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providing passenger [taxicab or limousine] transportation services |
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for compensation[, including controls, limits, or other
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restrictions on the total number of persons providing the
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services]; |
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(2) regulation of the rates charged for the provision |
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of the services; |
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(3) establishment of safety and insurance |
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requirements; and |
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(4) any other requirement adopted to ensure safe and |
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reliable passenger transportation service. |
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(c) In regulating passenger [taxicab or limousine] |
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transportation services for compensation under this section, a |
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municipality is performing a governmental function. A municipality |
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may carry out the provisions of this section to the extent the |
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governing body of the municipality considers it necessary or |
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appropriate. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |