Texas House Bill HB189

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/12/08

Caption

Relating to the effect of a peace officer's determination of financial responsibility for a motor vehicle through use of the motor vehicle financial responsibility verification program.

Impact

If enacted, HB 189 would significantly change how financial responsibility for motor vehicles is assessed during traffic stops. The proposed amendment would relieve operators from the presumption of violation if a peace officer confirms coverage through an established verification program. This shift could reduce the number of penalties imposed on innocent drivers who may be misidentified as operating without valid insurance, thus lessening the burden on courts and the justice system for handling such cases.

Summary

House Bill 189 addresses the procedures surrounding a peace officer's assessment of a motor vehicle operator's financial responsibility through the use of a verification program. The bill seeks to amend Section 601.053 of the Transportation Code, clarifying that an operator is presumed to have violated financial responsibility laws unless explicit verification indicates otherwise. This legislation aims to streamline how financial responsibility is confirmed at the point of a traffic stop, ideally leading to more efficient law enforcement practices and enhanced compliance with motor vehicle insurance requirements.

Contention

The introduction of HB 189 may bring up points of contention among lawmakers regarding the adequacy of verification programs. Critics may raise concerns about the reliability and accessibility of the program used by peace officers. They might argue that while verifying financial responsibility is essential, there could be instances where the system fails to provide accurate information, potentially penalizing law-abiding citizens. Furthermore, there might be discussions about the implementation costs associated with enhancing the verification infrastructure that peace officers rely on.