H.B. No. 2194
AN ACT
relating to the offense of leaving a motor vehicle unattended.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 545.404, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (b), an [An] operator may not leave a [the]
vehicle unattended without:
(1) stopping the engine;
(2) locking the ignition;
(3) removing the key from the ignition;
(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and
(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to
the curb or side of the highway.
(b) The requirements of Subsections (a)(1), (2), and (3) do
not apply to an operator who starts the engine of a vehicle by using
a remote starter or other similar device that:
(1) remotely starts the vehicle's engine without
placing the key in the ignition; and
(2) requires the key to be placed in the ignition or
physically present in the vehicle before the vehicle can be
operated.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
before that date.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2194 was passed by the House on April
30, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2194 was passed by the Senate on May
27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor