Sec. 452.0611. ENFORCEMENT OF FARES AND OTHER CHARGES; PENALTIES. (a) An executive committee by resolution may prohibit the use of the public transportation system by a person who fails to possess evidence showing that the appropriate fare for the use of the system has been paid and may establish reasonable and appropriate methods, using transit police officers or fare enforcement officers under Section 452.0612, to ensure that persons using the public transportation system pay the appropriate fare for that use.

(b) An executive committee by resolution may provide that a fare for or charge for the use of the public transportation system that is not paid incurs a penalty, not to exceed $100.

(c) The authority shall post signs designating each area in which a person is prohibited from using the transportation system without possession of evidence showing that the appropriate fare has been paid.

(d) A person commits an offense if:

(1) the person or another for whom the person is criminally responsible under Section 7.02, Penal Code, uses the public transportation system and does not possess evidence showing that the appropriate fare has been paid; and

(2) the person fails to pay the appropriate fare or other charge for the use of the public transportation system and any penalty on the fare on or before the 30th day after the date the authority notifies the person that the person is required to pay the amount of the fare or charge and the penalty.

(e) The notice required by Subsection (d)(2) may be included in a citation issued to the person by a peace officer under Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, or by a fare enforcement officer under Section 452.0612, in connection with an offense relating to the nonpayment of the appropriate fare or charge for the use of the public transportation system.

(f) An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class C misdemeanor.

(g) An offense under Subsection (d) is not a crime of moral turpitude.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1113, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.