BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3313

By: Ordaz

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has reported that confusion exists with police officers in regards to what color of light can be displayed on a motorcycle as ground effect lighting. This often results in traffic stops for the wrong color of light being displayed. DPS believes the legislative intent in enacting the law about this lighting was to limit the colors that may be displayed to amber or white. However, the law states that a person may operate a motorcycle or moped equipped with LED ground effect lighting emitting amber or white light, and it does not prohibit other colors or types of lighting. H.B. 3313 seeks to make it clear to both law enforcement officers and Texas citizens that the only type of LED ground effect lighting allowed on motorcycles and mopeds is non-flashing amber or white light.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3313 revises Transportation Code provisions relating to LED ground effect lighting on motorcycles and mopeds to limit a person who operates a motorcycle or moped equipped with LED ground effect lightning to doing so only if the lighting emits a non-flashing amber or white light and no other type of light.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.