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House Bill 242 |
House Author: Craddick et al. |
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Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Hegar |
House Bill 242 amends the Government Code to authorize the Public Safety Commission to call special rangers and special Texas Rangers into service for certain specified duties. The bill also authorizes a person who served as a reserve law enforcement officer not less than a total of 15 years with a state or local law enforcement agency to at any time apply for a license to carry a concealed handgun, sets out terms for the application, issuance, renewal, and expiration of such a license, and sets out provisions relating to weapons proficiency for such an officer. The bill amends the Occupations Code to provide, among other things, for the issuance of identification for a former law enforcement officer that indicates the person's status. The bill also amends the Penal Code to include a qualified retired law enforcement officer and a former reserve law enforcement officer among the officers who are exempt from certain weapon carry laws under certain conditions.
House Bill 242 amends the Transportation Code to make an offense of reckless driving a Class B misdemeanor if the offense results in the serious bodily injury or death of an operator or passenger of another motor vehicle and sets out terms for the prosecution of such an offense. The bill also prohibits an operator of a motor vehicle from using a handheld wireless communication device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped and establishes conditions under which an operator is not subject to prosecution under that prohibition.
Reason Given for Veto: "Texting while driving is reckless and irresponsible. I support measures that make our roads safer for everyone, but House Bill 242 is a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults. Current law already prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from texting or using a cell phone while driving. I believe there is a distinction between the overreach of House Bill 242 and the government's legitimate role in establishing laws for teenage drivers who are more easily distracted and laws providing further protection to children in school zones.
"The keys to dissuading drivers of all ages from texting while driving are information and education. I recommend additional education on this issue in driving safety and driver's education courses, public service ads, and announcements, and I encourage individuals and organizations that testified in favor of the anti-texting language included in this bill to work with state and local leaders to educate the public of these dangers."