BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 2981 82R29223 AJZ-F By: Hunter (Hegar) Transportation & Homeland Security 5/19/2011 Committee Report (Substituted)
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 2981
82R29223 AJZ-F By: Hunter (Hegar)
Transportation & Homeland Security
5/19/2011
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.H.B. 2981
82R29223 AJZ-F
By: Hunter (Hegar)
Transportation & Homeland Security
5/19/2011
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Under current law it is permissible for motor vehicle operators to allow persons of any age to travel as passengers in or on a towed watercraft. This is dangerous and inconsistent with the restrictions imposed on motor vehicle operators with respect to passengers in the bed of a truck or towed trailer. C.S.H.B. 2981 amends current law relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child is riding, and provides a penalty. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, by adding Section 545.4145, as follows: Sec. 545.4145. RIDING IN OR ON BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT DRAWN BY VEHICLE; OFFENSE. (a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle. (b) Provides that it is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an emergency, or operating the motor vehicle on a beach. (c) Defines, in this section, "boat" and "personal watercraft." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law it is permissible for motor vehicle operators to allow persons of any age to travel as passengers in or on a towed watercraft. This is dangerous and inconsistent with the restrictions imposed on motor vehicle operators with respect to passengers in the bed of a truck or towed trailer.
C.S.H.B. 2981 amends current law relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child is riding, and provides a penalty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, by adding Section 545.4145, as follows:
Sec. 545.4145. RIDING IN OR ON BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT DRAWN BY VEHICLE; OFFENSE. (a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle.
(b) Provides that it is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an emergency, or operating the motor vehicle on a beach.
(c) Defines, in this section, "boat" and "personal watercraft."
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.