Texas House Bill HB3783

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of obstructing a street, railroad crossing, or public highway.

Impact

The enactment of HB3783 is intended to provide clearer guidelines for the prosecution of such obstruction offenses. The bill will apply solely to offenses committed on or after its effective date, which is set for September 1, 2015. By specifying the conditions under which railway companies may be penalized for delays caused to emergency vehicles, the bill seeks to reinforce the importance of keeping public thoroughfares clear for emergencies, thus reducing response times for critical situations.

Summary

House Bill 3783 addresses the prosecution of the criminal offense related to obstructing streets, railroad crossings, or public highways in Texas. It specifically modifies Section 471.007(a) of the Transportation Code to establish that a railway company commits an offense if it obstructs these routes for more than ten minutes, thus potentially preventing an authorized emergency vehicle from taking the most direct route to an emergency. This act aims to enhance public safety by ensuring that emergency services can respond promptly to incidents that require urgent attention.

Contention

While the bill does promote public safety, it may also raise concerns regarding operational impacts on railway companies. Critics might argue that the ten-minute threshold could be impractical in certain scenarios, potentially leading to penalties even in cases where delays were unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances. Such contentions reflect a balancing act between ensuring public safety and allowing for the functional realities of railway operations.