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).