BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1024 85R18437 AAF-D By: Nelson Transportation 3/23/2017 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT What does this bill do? Authorizes security vehicles at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to use universally recognized emergency flashing lights while securing the airport or responding to an emergency. Purpose To increase and enhance public safety at DFW airport by increasing security visibility. Background Current law authorizes certain emergency vehicles to use red and blue emergency lighting such as police, fire, and emergency medical services. Not all DFW security vehicles meet the current definition of an emergency vehicle that may use the lighting. S.B. 1024 Provisions Amends Section 541.201(1), Transportation Code, by adding DFW emergency management or airport security vehicles to the list of authorized vehicles that may use flashing red and blue emergency lighting. Fiscal Impact: None Committee Substitute To address concerns by the Texas Municipal Police Association, a committee substitute changes the authorization from red and blue flashing lights to blue and amber flashing lights similar to tow trucks. C.S.S.B. 1024 amends current law relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on emergency management or airport security vehicles. 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 Section 547.305, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e-1), as follows: (e-1) Authorizes an emergency management or airport security vehicle to be equipped with flashing blue and amber lights visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Defines "emergency management or airport security vehicle." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1024
85R18437 AAF-D By: Nelson
Transportation
3/23/2017
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 1024
85R18437 AAF-D
By: Nelson
Transportation
3/23/2017
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
What does this bill do?
Authorizes security vehicles at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to use universally recognized emergency flashing lights while securing the airport or responding to an emergency.
Purpose
To increase and enhance public safety at DFW airport by increasing security visibility.
Background
Current law authorizes certain emergency vehicles to use red and blue emergency lighting such as police, fire, and emergency medical services.
Not all DFW security vehicles meet the current definition of an emergency vehicle that may use the lighting.
S.B. 1024 Provisions
Amends Section 541.201(1), Transportation Code, by adding DFW emergency management or airport security vehicles to the list of authorized vehicles that may use flashing red and blue emergency lighting.
Fiscal Impact:
None
Committee Substitute
To address concerns by the Texas Municipal Police Association, a committee substitute changes the authorization from red and blue flashing lights to blue and amber flashing lights similar to tow trucks.
C.S.S.B. 1024 amends current law relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on emergency management or airport security vehicles.
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 Section 547.305, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e-1), as follows:
(e-1) Authorizes an emergency management or airport security vehicle to be equipped with flashing blue and amber lights visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Defines "emergency management or airport security vehicle."
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.