83R10963 JRR-F
By: Flynn H.B. No. 3411
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on motor
vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 547.105(b) and (c), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation may adopt
standards and specifications for lighting that permit the use of
amber or white flashing lights for identification purposes on
highway maintenance and service equipment, including snow-removal
equipment.
(c) The standards and specifications adopted under this
section must comply with [are in lieu of] the standards and
specifications otherwise provided by this chapter for lamps on
vehicles.
SECTION 2. Section 547.305, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (c), (d), and (e) and adding Subsections
(c-1) and (g) to read as follows:
(c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
flashing or alternating light that is red, white, or blue [beacon,
flashing, or alternating light] unless the equipment is:
(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter;
or
(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp,
or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
(c-1) A vehicle may not be equipped or operated with
alternately flashing lighting equipment that is blue in color
unless the vehicle is:
(1) an authorized emergency vehicle that is a police
vehicle; or
(2) a vehicle used for law enforcement purposes that
is owned or leased by the federal government.
(d) A vehicle may not be equipped or operated with
alternately flashing lighting equipment that is red in color unless
[described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if] the vehicle is:
(1) a school bus;
(2) an authorized emergency vehicle;
(3) a church bus that has the words "church bus"
printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly
discernible [discernable] to other vehicle operators; or
(4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law
enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up
to a disabled vehicle on a roadway[; or
[(5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar which has
turn signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by
Sections 547.322, 547.323, and 547.324, Transportation Code].
(e) A vehicle [person] may not be equipped or operated with
alternately flashing lighting equipment that is white in color
unless the vehicle is:
(1) a vehicle described by Subsection (d); or
(2) [operate] highway maintenance or service
equipment, including snow-removal equipment[, that is not equipped
with lamps or that does not display lighted lamps as required by the
standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Department of
Transportation].
(g) The lighting conditions authorized by this section are
in addition to the lighting requirements under Sections
547.321-547.324.
SECTION 3. Section 547.305(b), Transportation Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.