TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 472. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

TRANSPORTATION CODE

TITLE 6. ROADWAYS

SUBTITLE Z. MISCELLANEOUS ROADWAY PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 472. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SUBCHAPTER A. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS FOR JOINT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN HIGHWAY COSTS

Sec. 472.001. CONTRACTS BETWEEN CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO ENGAGE IN JOINT PROJECT. (a) A state agency, political subdivision, or road district of a county may contract with a transportation corporation created by the commission under Chapter 431 or with another state agency, political subdivision, or road district to jointly pay all or part of the cost of:

(1) acquiring, designing, constructing, improving, or beautifying a state or local highway, turnpike, road, or street project;

(2) acquiring an interest in any real property required for or beneficial to the project; and

(3) adjusting utilities for the project.

(b) Costs of a project or payments required under a contract may be met out of bond proceeds, taxes, or other funds available for that purpose.

(1) issue bonds to pay costs of a project if it determines the project will benefit it; or

(2) impose taxes in an amount necessary to create a sinking fund for payments required by a contract that provides for payment over a term of years.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 472.002. CONTRACTS INVOLVING POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR ROAD DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN HIGHWAY. The governing body of a political subdivision or road district that determines an improvement is reasonable, necessary, and beneficial to the subdivision or district may contract with another governmental entity to:

(1) acquire with bond proceeds necessary rights-of-way for the road or highway; and

(2) construct and maintain the road or highway in cooperation with the entity.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 472.003. COUNTY PAYMENTS FOR JOINT HIGHWAY PROJECTS. (a) The commissioners court of a county may issue bonds and contract with a road district, road utility district, state agency, or other governmental entity in the manner, for the term, and to the extent it may contract under Chapter 362, on determining that a road project, including a toll road project authorized under Chapter 441, is reasonable, necessary, and beneficial to the county.

(b) To pay the cost of a road project that serves the county and a road district of a county or road utility district, the commissioners court may:

(1) dedicate ad valorem taxes paid by owners of property in the county or district; or

(2) use other county money.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

SUBCHAPTER B. DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY TO REMOVE PROPERTY FROM STATE HIGHWAYS

Sec. 472.011. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "personal property" includes personal property of any kind or character, including:

(1) a vehicle, as defined by Section 502.001, that is damaged or disabled;

(2) spilled cargo;

(3) a hazardous material as defined by 49 U.S.C. App. Section 1802; and

(4) a hazardous substance as defined by Section 26.263, Water Code.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.43(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 472.012. DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY GENERALLY. (a) The department may remove personal property from the right-of-way or roadway of the state highway system if the department determines the property blocks the roadway or endangers public safety.

(b) The department may remove the personal property without the consent of the owner or carrier of the property.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 472.013. OWNER AND CARRIER RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS OF REMOVAL AND DISPOSITION. The owner and the carrier of personal property removed under this subchapter shall reimburse the department for the costs of removal and disposition.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 472.014. DEPARTMENT NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department and its officers and employees are not liable for:

(1) any damage to personal property resulting from its removal or disposal by the department unless the removal or disposal is carried out recklessly or in a grossly negligent manner; or

(2) any damage resulting from the failure to exercise authority granted under this subchapter.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.43(b), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 472.015. CONTRACTS FOR REMOVAL OF PROPERTY. In contracting with a private business or businesses for the removal of personal property from the right-of-way or roadway of the state highway system, the department may:

(1) use a purchasing method described in Chapter 2156, Government Code;

(2) include the removal work in a contract entered into under Chapter 223; or

(3) select a business or businesses based on an evaluation of the experience of the business and the price and quality of the business's equipment and services.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1272, Sec. 9.01, eff. June 15, 2001.

SUBCHAPTER C. CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND PENALTIES REGARDING WARNING SIGNS AND BARRICADES

Sec. 472.021. TAMPERING WITH WARNING DEVICES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person tampers with, damages, or removes a barricade, flare pot, sign, flasher signal, or other device warning of construction, repair, or detour on or adjacent to a highway set out by the state, a political subdivision, a contractor, or a public utility.

(b) This section does not apply to a person acting within the scope and duty of employment if the person is:

(1) an officer, agent, independent contractor, employee, or trustee of the state or a political subdivision;

(2) a contractor; or

(3) a public utility.

(1) a fine of not less than $25 or more than $1,000;

(2) confinement in a county jail for a term not to exceed two years; or

(3) both the fine and the confinement.

(d) In this section:

(1) "Contractor" means a person engaged in highway construction or repair under contract with this state or a political subdivision of this state.

(2) "Highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of a publicly maintained way, any part of which is open to the public for vehicular travel or any part of which is under construction or repair and intended for public vehicular travel on completion. The term includes the space above or below the highway surface.

(3) "Person" means an individual, firm, association, or corporation and includes an officer, agent, independent contractor, employee, or trustee of that individual or entity.

(4) "Political subdivision" includes a county, municipality, local board, or other body of this state having authority to authorize highway construction or repair.

(5) "Public utility" means:

(A) a telegraph, telephone, water, gas, light, or sewage company or cooperative;

(B) a contractor of a company or cooperative described by Subdivision (A); or

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 472.022. OBEYING WARNING SIGNS AND BARRICADES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:

(1) disobeys the instructions, signals, warnings, or markings of a warning sign; or

(2) drives around a barricade.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(1) a person who is following the directions of a police officer; or

(2) a person, including an employee of the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor, whose duties require the person to go beyond or around a barricade.

(d) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1 or more than $200, except that:

(1) if the offense is committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present and any written notice to appear issued for the offense states on its face that workers were present when the offense was committed, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $2 or more than $400; or

(2) if a person commits an offense under Subsection (a) where a warning sign or barricade has been placed because water is over any portion of a road, street, or highway, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.

(e) In this section:

(1) "Barricade" means an obstruction:

(A) placed on or across a road, street, or highway of this state by the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor constructing or repairing the road, street, or highway under authorization of the department or a political subdivision of this state; and

(B) placed to prevent the passage of motor vehicles over the road, street, or highway during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions.

(2) "Construction or maintenance work zone" means a portion of a highway or street:

(A) where highway construction or maintenance is being undertaken, other than mobile operations as defined by the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; and

(B) that is marked by signs:

(i) indicating that it is a construction or maintenance work zone;

(ii) indicating where the zone begins and ends; and

(iii) stating: "Fines double when workers present."

(3) "Warning sign" means a signal, marking, or device placed on a barricade or on a road, street, or highway during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions by the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor to warn or regulate motor vehicular traffic. The term includes a flagger deployed on a road, street, or highway by the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor to direct traffic around or on the road, street, or highway during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions.

Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025

(f) Articles 45.051 and 45.0511, Code of Criminal Procedure, do not apply to an offense under this section committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present.

Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025

(f) Subchapters G and H, Chapter 45A, Code of Criminal Procedure, do not apply to an offense under this section committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 674, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 789, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1088, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 19.005, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 991, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1182, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 576 (H.B. 1481), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 576 (H.B. 1481), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.165, eff. January 1, 2025.

SUBCHAPTER D. METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS

Sec. 472.031. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Metropolitan planning organization" means a metropolitan planning organization designated or redesignated under 23 U.S.C. Section 134.

(2) "Policy board" means the policy board of a metropolitan planning organization.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 537 (H.B. 1036), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 472.032. VOTING PROXIES BY POLICY BOARD MEMBERS. (a) A policy board may provide in its bylaws for appointment of voting proxies by its members.

(b) A proxy appointed under Subsection (a):

(1) acts on behalf of and under the supervision of the policy board member who appointed the proxy;

(2) must be appointed in writing; and

(3) is authorized to vote for the policy board member who appointed the proxy to the extent the member has given the proxy the member's voting power.

(c) A legislative member of a policy board may not be counted as absent at a meeting of the policy board during a legislative session.

(d) A legislative member of a policy board may only appoint a proxy under Subsection (a) who is:

(1) the legislative member's employee or staff member;

(2) a person related to the member within the second degree by consanguinity, as determined under Subchapter B, Chapter 573, Government Code, who is not required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code;

(3) another legislative member of the policy board; or

(4) a locally elected official.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 267, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 281 (H.B. 2702), Sec. 2.82, eff. June 14, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 537 (H.B. 1036), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 565 (H.B. 1339), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 17.001(75), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 472.033. APPLICABILITY OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST LAW TO POLICY BOARD MEMBERS. (a) A policy board member is considered to be a local public official for purposes of Chapter 171, Local Government Code.

(b) If a policy board member must abstain from participation in a vote or decision under Section 171.004, Local Government Code, the member's proxy appointed under Section 472.032 may not participate in the vote or decision.

(c) The appointment of a proxy by a policy board member does not excuse the member from filing an affidavit required under Section 171.004, Local Government Code.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 537 (H.B. 1036), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 472.034. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT; ETHICS POLICY. (a) A policy board member or employee of a metropolitan planning organization may not:

(1) accept or solicit any gift, favor, or service that might reasonably tend to influence the member or employee in the discharge of official duties or that the member or employee knows or should know is being offered with the intent to influence the member's or employee's official conduct;

(2) accept other employment or engage in a business or professional activity that the member or employee might reasonably expect would require or induce the member or employee to disclose confidential information acquired by reason of the official position;

(3) accept other employment or compensation that could reasonably be expected to impair the member's or employee's independence of judgment in the performance of the member's or employee's official duties;

(4) make personal investments that could reasonably be expected to create a substantial conflict between the member's or employee's private interest and the public interest; or

(5) intentionally or knowingly solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit for having exercised the member's or employee's official powers or performed the member's or employee's official duties in favor of another.

(b) An employee of a metropolitan planning organization who violates Subsection (a) or an ethics policy adopted under Subsection (c) is subject to termination of the employee's employment or another employment-related sanction. Notwithstanding this subsection, a policy board member or employee of a metropolitan planning organization who violates Subsection (a) is subject to any applicable civil or criminal penalty if the violation also constitutes a violation of another statute or rule.

(1) adopt bylaws establishing an ethics policy for employees of a metropolitan planning organization and policy board members consistent with the standards prescribed by Subsection (a), including provisions to prevent a policy board member from having a conflict of interest in business before the metropolitan planning organization; and

(2) distribute a copy of the ethics policy to:

(A) each new employee not later than the third business day after the date the person begins employment with the agency; and

(B) each new policy board member not later than the third business day after the date the person qualifies for office.

(d) If a person with knowledge of a violation of an ethics policy established under Subsection (c) that also constitutes a criminal offense under another law of this state reports the violation to an appropriate prosecuting attorney who concludes that there is reasonable basis to initiate an investigation, then, not later than the 60th day after the date a person notifies the prosecuting attorney under this subsection, the prosecuting attorney shall notify the Texas Ethics Commission of the status of the prosecuting attorney's investigation of the alleged violation. The Texas Ethics Commission shall, on the request of the prosecuting attorney, assist the prosecuting attorney in investigating the alleged violation.

(e) To the extent an employee of a metropolitan planning organization is subject to the ethics policy of another governmental entity and to the extent that policy conflicts with this section, the ethics policy of the other governmental entity prevails.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 264 (S.B. 792), Sec. 12.01, eff. June 11, 2007.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 482 (S.B. 585), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 472.035. COORDINATION WITH DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP LONG-TERM PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS. Each metropolitan planning organization shall work with the department to develop mutually acceptable assumptions for the purposes of long-range federal and state funding forecasts and use those assumptions to guide long-term planning in the organization's long-range transportation plan.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1345 (S.B. 1420), Sec. 52, eff. September 1, 2011.

Sec. 472.036. INTERNET BROADCAST AND ARCHIVE OF OPEN MEETINGS. In a manner that complies with Section 551.128(c), Government Code, a metropolitan planning organization that serves one or more counties with a population of 350,000 or more shall broadcast over the Internet live video and audio of each open meeting held by the policy board. Subsequently, the organization shall make available through the organization's Internet website archived video and audio for each meeting for which live video and audio was provided under this section.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1190 (S.B. 1237), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.