HBA-NIK S.B. 416 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 416
By: Lindsay
Transportation
5/8/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, exemption from parking meter fees is granted to disabled
veterans and recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Former
prisoners of war and Purple Heart recipients, though granted exemption from
parking meter fees and time limitations by the Austin City Council, are not
granted special parking exemptions by Texas state law.  Pearl Harbor
survivors are not exempt either. According to 1998 registration data for
this state, there are 17,945 Purple Heart recipients and 319 Pearl Harbor
survivors.  This tends to create confusion for both the exempted groups and
enforcement officials.  S.B. 416 grants exemptions from parking fees to
vehicles with license plates issued under certain sections of the
Transportation Code. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 681.008, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 681.008. New title: PARKING PRIVILEGES: CERTAIN VETERANS. Adds
vehicles displaying license plates issued under Sections 502.257 (Former
Prisoners of War), 502.259 (Pearl Harbor Survivors), and 502.260 (Purple
Heart Recipients), Transportation Code, to the list of those which are
exempt from the payment of a certain parking fee. Makes a conforming
change. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
Effective date: upon passage.