BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 341 By: Kamel 04-27-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Many people who have homes or businesses along a hike and bike trail have expressed concerns regarding security. Hike and bike trails have made homes and businesses very assessable for would be thieves. This is especially true when thieves are able to quickly flee a burglarized home or business via a motorized vehicle. PURPOSE As proposed, HB 341 would prohibit the use of motorized vehicles on hike and bike trails for purposes other than trail maintenance. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 13, Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways (Article 6701d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) by adding Subsection (o) which defines a "hike and bike trail" as a trail designed for the exclusive use of pedestrians, bicycles, or both. SECTION 2. Amends Section 187, Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways (Article 6701d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) by prohibiting the driving of any motor vehicle upon a hike or bike trail; this subsection does not prohibit the operation of a motor vehicle on a hike or bike trail used for the maintenance of the trail. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on April 21, 1995, at 4:04 p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, April 26, 1995, at 2:00 p.m., or upon adjournment, in Room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called to order at 6:13 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander. The Chair laid out H.B. 341 and recognized Representative Kamel to explain H.B. 341. There were no witnesses testifying in support of, or in opposition to H.B. 341. The Chair left H.B. 341 pending before the Committee. Pursuant to a public notice announced from the House Floor on April 27, 1995, in accordance with House Rules, the House Committee on Transportation met in a formal meeting on the House Floor, at desk 128, on Thursday, April 27, and was called to order by the acting Chair, Vice Chairman Representative Fred Bosse at 6:35 p.m. The Chair laid out H.B. 341 by Kamel, which was pending before the Committee. Representative Clemons moved that the Committee report H.B. 341, without amendments, to the full House with recommendation that it do pass. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (6), Nayes (0), Absent (3), Present not voting (0).