82R9359 CJC-D
By: Castro H.B. No. 1654
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a commission to study drowsy driving.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Drowsy Driving Study Commission is
created to study the effect of drowsy driving on highway safety.
The commission shall:
(1) study the effects of sleep deprivation on persons
operating a motor vehicle on public roadways;
(2) determine scientific and legal standards to be
applied by law enforcement officials and the court system in
determining whether a driver is operating a motor vehicle while
sleep deprived;
(3) suggest appropriate sanctions for operating a
motor vehicle while sleep deprived; and
(4) develop programs to:
(A) educate drivers about the effects of driving
while sleep deprived; and
(B) train law enforcement officials to recognize
the symptoms of sleep deprivation.
(b) The commission is composed of seven members as follows:
(1) one member of the house of representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(2) one member of the senate, appointed by the
lieutenant governor; and
(3) five members appointed by the governor, of which:
(A) one is a member of the academic or medical
community with expertise in sleep deprivation research;
(B) one is a representative of the Texas
Department of Transportation;
(C) one is a representative of the Department of
Public Safety;
(D) one is a representative of the Texas
Transportation Institute; and
(E) one is a member of the public.
(c) The speaker of the house of representatives shall select
one member of the commission to serve as chair of the commission.
(d) A member of the commission is not entitled to
reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.
(e) The commission may accept gifts and grants from any
source to be used to carry out a function of the commission.
(f) On the commission's request, the comptroller or any
other state agency, department, or office shall provide any
assistance the commission needs to perform the commission's duties.
(g) Not later than July 1, 2012, the commission shall issue
a report summarizing:
(1) the commission's findings and recommendations;
(2) any legislation proposed by the commission; and
(3) any administrative recommendations proposed by
the commission.
(h) The commission shall promptly deliver copies of the
report, and drafts of any proposed legislation and administrative
recommendations necessary to implement the commission's findings,
to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2011, the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
shall appoint the members to the Drowsy Driving Study Commission
established under Section 1 of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act expires and the Drowsy Driving Study
Commission is abolished on January 1, 2013.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.