81R512 JD-D
By: Leibowitz H.B. No. 31
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the amount of liability insurance required to be
maintained on certain buses owned by a motor carrier.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 643.101(b), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided by Sections [Section] 643.1015 and
643.1016, the department by rule may set the amount of liability
insurance required at an amount that does not exceed the amount
required for a motor carrier under a federal regulation adopted
under 49 U.S.C. Section 13906(a)(1). In setting the amount the
department shall consider:
(1) the class and size of the vehicle; and
(2) the persons or cargo being transported.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 643, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 643.1016 to read as follows:
Sec. 643.1016. AMOUNT REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN BUSES. (a) This
section applies only to a bus that is designed or used to transport
26 or more passengers, not including the operator, and is owned by a
motor carrier required to be registered under Subchapter B.
(b) The owner of a bus shall maintain liability insurance in
the amount of at least $10 million combined single limit.
SECTION 3. Section 643.103(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A motor carrier that is required to register under
Subchapter B must file with the department evidence of insurance in
the amounts required by Section 643.101, [or] 643.1015, or
643.1016, or evidence of financial responsibility as described by
Section 643.102, in a form prescribed by the department. The form
must be filed:
(1) at the time of the initial registration;
(2) at the time of a subsequent registration if the
motor carrier was required to be continuously registered under
Subchapter B and the carrier failed to maintain continuous
registration;
(3) at the time a motor carrier changes insurers; and
(4) at the time a motor carrier changes ownership, as
determined by rules adopted by the department.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.