BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 371 By: Romo 04-26-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND It is now illegal in every State to operate a vehicle at night without lights. Current law, (Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6701d) does not require any daytime use of headlights, although recent studies have shown that using lights during the day can help to make vehicles easier to see. This increased visibility for motorists will help decrease collisions. This legislation is in anticipation of future Federal standards. The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the Federal Government develop and conduct a program to encourage motorists to drive with their low-beam headlights on during the day. (Class II, Priority Action) (H-85-30). PURPOSE H.B. 371 increases requirements for headlamp illumination to include while the vehicles windshield wipers are in use; and decreases discernible distance from 1000 feet to 500 feet. 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 109(a) of the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways (Article 6701d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) to decrease the distance requirements for displaying lighted lamps from 1,000 to 500 feet and increases the requirements for displaying lighted headlamps to include when because of rain, sleet, snow, hail, or unfavorable atmospheric conditions when the operator of the vehicle is using the vehicle's windshield wipers. SECTION 2: Provides that this Act will take effect September 1, 1995. SECTION 3: Emergency Clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on April 7, 1995 at 5:04 p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, April 12, 1995, at 2:00 p.m., or upon adjournment, in Room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called to order at 3:58 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander. The Chair laid out H.B. 371 and recognized Representative Romo to explain H.B. 371. The Chair recognized the following person who testified in support of H.B. 371. Richard Geiger, Assoc. of Fire and Casualty companies in Texas. The Chair recognized the following person who testified but was neutral on H.B. 371. Charles Graham, Texas Department of Public Safety. The Chair left H.B. 371 pending before the Committee. 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. 371 by Romo, which was pending before the Committee. Representative Alonzo moved that the Committee report H.B. 371, without amendments, to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (8), Nayes (0), Absent (1), Present not voting (0).