88R26007 AJZ-D
By: AnchÃa, Guillen, Frazier, et al. H.B. No. 2564
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the investigation of certain motor vehicle accidents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 550.041, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 550.041. INVESTIGATION BY PEACE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
SECTION 2. Section 550.041, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) A peace officer who is notified of a motor vehicle
accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or property
damage to an apparent extent of at least $5,000 [$1,000] may
investigate the accident and file justifiable charges relating to
the accident without regard to whether the accident occurred on
property to which this chapter applies.
(c) An employee of a law enforcement agency who is not a
peace officer and who has successfully completed a training program
on investigating motor vehicle accidents that satisfies the
applicable requirements of Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, may
investigate a motor vehicle accident, without regard to whether the
accident occurred on property to which this chapter applies, if:
(1) no offense was committed during the accident other
than a misdemeanor punishable by fine only;
(2) no injury or death of a person occurred as a result
of the accident; and
(3) any property damage that resulted from the
accident was to an apparent extent of less than $5,000.
SECTION 3. The heading to Section 550.062, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 550.062. OFFICER'S OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
EMPLOYEE'S ACCIDENT REPORT.
SECTION 4. Section 550.062, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 550.062. OFFICER'S ACCIDENT REPORT. (a) A law
enforcement officer who in the regular course of duty investigates
a motor vehicle accident shall make a written report of the accident
if the accident resulted in injury to or the death of a person or
damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of
$5,000 [$1,000] or more.
(a-1) An employee of a law enforcement agency who is not a
peace officer and who investigates a motor vehicle accident in
accordance with Section 550.041(c) shall make a written report
summarizing the findings of the investigation.
(b) The report required by Subsection (a) or (a-1) must be
filed electronically with the department not later than the 10th
day after the date of the accident.
(b-1) If the motor vehicle accident involved a combination
of vehicles operating under a permit issued under Section 623.402,
the report required by Subsection (a) or (a-1) must include the
weight and the number of axles of the vehicle combination.
(c) This section applies without regard to whether the
officer or law enforcement agency employee, as applicable,
investigates the accident at the location of the accident and
immediately after the accident or afterwards by interviewing those
involved in the accident or witnesses to the accident.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.