| 1 | 1 | | 81R11936 JD-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Ellis S.B. No. 2361 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to the operation of certain three-wheeled vehicles in this |
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| 8 | 8 | | state. |
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| 9 | 9 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 10 | 10 | | SECTION 1. Section 521.001(a), Transportation Code, is |
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| 11 | 11 | | amended by adding Subdivision (6-a) to read as follows: |
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| 12 | 12 | | (6-a) "Motorcycle" includes an enclosed three-wheeled |
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| 13 | 13 | | passenger vehicle that: |
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| 14 | 14 | | (A) is designed to operate with three wheels in |
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| 15 | 15 | | contact with the ground; |
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| 16 | 16 | | (B) has an unladen weight of at least 900 pounds; |
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| 17 | 17 | | (C) has a single cab with an enclosed passenger |
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| 18 | 18 | | seating area and seats similar to those of a passenger vehicle; |
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| 19 | 19 | | (D) at a minimum, is equipped with: |
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| 20 | 20 | | (i) an automotive steering system and a |
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| 21 | 21 | | steering wheel used to maneuver the vehicle; |
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| 22 | 22 | | (ii) a motor unit or power train located in |
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| 23 | 23 | | front of or behind the operator; |
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| 24 | 24 | | (iii) a safety belt for each passenger; |
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| 25 | 25 | | (iv) a windshield and windshield wipers; |
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| 26 | 26 | | and |
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| 27 | 27 | | (v) a roll bar; and |
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| 28 | 28 | | (E) is produced by its manufacturer in a minimum |
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| 29 | 29 | | number of 100 in any calendar year. |
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| 30 | 30 | | SECTION 2. Section 521.166, Transportation Code, is amended |
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| 31 | 31 | | by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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| 32 | 32 | | (c) An applicant is not required to comply with Subsection |
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| 33 | 33 | | (a) if the motorcycle of the applicant is: |
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| 34 | 34 | | (1) of the type described by Section 521.001(a)(6-a); |
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| 35 | 35 | | and |
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| 36 | 36 | | (2) equipped with a seat and a safety belt for both the |
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| 37 | 37 | | applicant and the license examiner. |
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| 38 | 38 | | SECTION 3. Section 680.013, Transportation Code, is amended |
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| 39 | 39 | | to read as follows: |
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| 40 | 40 | | Sec. 680.013. USE OF PREFERENTIAL LANE BY MOTORCYCLE. A |
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| 41 | 41 | | motorcycle, including a motorcycle described by Section |
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| 42 | 42 | | 521.001(a)(6-a), may be operated in a preferential lane that is not |
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| 43 | 43 | | closed to all vehicular traffic. |
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| 44 | 44 | | SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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