Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4499 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	86R7175 MP-D
2	2	By: Raymond H.B. No. 4499
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to the operation of motor-assisted scooters.
8	8	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
9	9	SECTION 1. Section 551.351(1), Transportation Code, is
10	10	amended to read as follows:
11	11	(1) "Motor-assisted scooter":
12	12	(A) means a self-propelled device with:
13	13	(i) at least two wheels in contact with the
14	14	ground during operation;
15	15	(ii) a braking system capable of stopping
16	16	the device under typical operating conditions;
17	17	(iii) a gas motor with a displacement not
18	18	exceeding 40 cubic centimeters or an electric motor with a power
19	19	output not exceeding 1,000 watts [40 cubic centimeters];
20	20	(iv) a deck designed to allow a person to
21	21	stand or sit while operating the device; and
22	22	(v) the ability to be propelled by human
23	23	power alone; and
24	24	(B) does not include a pocket bike or a
25	25	minimotorbike.
26	26	SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 551, Transportation Code,
27	27	is amended by adding Section 551.3515 to read as follows:
28	28	Sec. 551.3515. GENERAL OPERATION OF MOTOR-ASSISTED
29	29	SCOOTERS. (a) A person must hold a valid driver's license and be at
30	30	least 16 years of age to operate a motor-assisted scooter.
31	31	(b) A person may not use a motor-assisted scooter to carry
32	32	more than one person.
33	33	SECTION 3. Section 551.352, Transportation Code, is amended
34	34	to read as follows:
35	35	Sec. 551.352. OPERATION ON ROADWAYS OR BICYCLE PATHS
36	36	[SIDEWALKS]. (a) A person may operate a motor-assisted scooter
37	37	[may be operated] only:
38	38	(1) on a path set aside for the exclusive use of
39	39	bicycles, pedestrians, or both; or
40	40	(2) on a roadway in a bicycle lane, except as provided
41	41	by Subsection (b) [street or highway for which the posted speed
42	42	limit is 35 miles per hour or less. The motor-assisted scooter may
43	43	cross a road or street at an intersection where the road or street
44	44	has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour].
45	45	(b) A person may operate a motor-assisted scooter on a
46	46	roadway without a bicycle lane if:
47	47	(1) the roadway has a speed limit of 30 miles per hour
48	48	or less; and
49	49	(2) the person rides as near as practicable to the
50	50	right curb or edge of the roadway, unless:
51	51	(A) the person is:
52	52	(i) operating the scooter on a one-way
53	53	roadway, in which case the operator shall ride as near as
54	54	practicable to the left curb or edge of the roadway;
55	55	(ii) overtaking or passing another vehicle
56	56	that is proceeding in the same direction;
57	57	(iii) preparing to execute a left turn; or
58	58	(iv) riding alongside not more than one
59	59	other motor-assisted scooter and both operators are riding in a
60	60	single lane and in a manner that does not impede the normal and
61	61	reasonable movement of traffic on the roadway; or
62	62	(B) hazardous conditions make it reasonably
63	63	necessary for the operator to avoid the curb or edge of the roadway
64	64	[A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of a
65	65	motor-assisted scooter on a street, highway, or sidewalk if the
66	66	governing body of the county or municipality determines that the
67	67	prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety].
68	68	(c) A person may not operate a motor-assisted scooter at a
69	69	speed that exceeds 15 miles per hour.
70	70	(d) A person operating a motor-assisted scooter shall yield
71	71	the right-of-way to a pedestrian.
72	72	(e) The department may prohibit the operation of a
73	73	motor-assisted scooter on a highway if it determines that the
74	74	prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
75	75	[(d) A person may operate a motor-assisted scooter on a path
76	76	set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles or on a sidewalk.
77	77	Except as otherwise provided by this section, a provision of this
78	78	title applicable to the operation of a bicycle applies to the
79	79	operation of a motor-assisted scooter.]
80	80	(f) [(e)] A provision of this title applicable to a motor
81	81	vehicle does not apply to a motor-assisted scooter.
82	82	SECTION 4. Subchapter E, Chapter 551, Transportation Code,
83	83	is amended by adding Sections 551.354 and 551.355 to read as
84	84	follows:
85	85	Sec. 551.354. PARKING. A person may not park a
86	86	motor-assisted scooter in a manner that obstructs a roadway, path,
87	87	or sidewalk.
88	88	Sec. 551.355. EFFECT OF SUBCHAPTER ON OTHER LAW. A county
89	89	or municipality may:
90	90	(1) further restrict the speed at which a person may
91	91	operate a motor-assisted scooter;
92	92	(2) further restrict the locations a person may
93	93	operate a motor-assisted scooter;
94	94	(3) increase the minimum age requirement for the
95	95	operator of a motor-assisted scooter;
96	96	(4) impose a higher criminal or civil penalty for a
97	97	violation of this subchapter;
98	98	(5) further restrict the locations a person may park a
99	99	motor-assisted scooter;
100	100	(6) require the operator of a motor-assisted scooter
101	101	to wear a safety helmet; or
102	102	(7) prohibit the operation of a motor-assisted scooter
103	103	on a street, highway, or sidewalk if the governing body of the
104	104	county or municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary
105	105	in the interest of safety.
106	106	SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.