BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 980 By: Truan (Oakley) 05-02-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways bans the use of video displays that are visible to the driver of a vehicle. The purpose of this Act was to prohibit drivers from being distracted by televisions. In recent years, vehicle navigation systems of various types have been developed. However, the prohibition of television screens also covers computer screens and other video display terminals. Such systems are in wide use in police cars, emergency vehicles, taxis, and long distance trucks. Civilian navigation systems are currently available and widely used in many states. All such systems are illegal in Texas. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 980 provides that the use of a monitoring device that produces an electronic display and is used exclusively in conjunction with a mobile navigation system installed in the vehicle is not prohibited. 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 139D, Article 6701d, V.T.C.S. (Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), by adding Subsection (d), to provide that this section does not prohibit the use of a monitoring device that produces an electronic display and is used exclusively in conjunction with a mobile navigation system installed in the vehicle. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice announced from the House floor on May 2, 1995, in accordance with House Rules, the House Committee on Transportation met in a formal meeting on the House Floor, at Desk 22, on Tuesday, May 2, 1995, and was called to order by the Chairman, Representative Clyde Alexander at 12:00 p.m. The Chair laid out S.B. 980, which is the companion document to H.B. 1617. Representative Edwards moved that the committee report S.B. 980, without amendments, to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (7), Nayes (0), Absent (2), Present not voting (0).