BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 1363
By: Wentworth (Siebert)
05-17-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Currently, motorcycle operators and passengers must wear protective
headgear.  They may obtain a medical exemption from the helmet law
which expires 10 days after the date it is issued.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1363 extends the medical exemption for motorcycle
operators and passengers from wearing protective headgear 180 days
after the exemption is issued or the expiration date specified by
the issuing physician.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 2(c) and (d), Article 6701c-3, V.T.C.S., 

     (c)  Authorizes a medical exemption to be issued by a
     practicing physician licensed to practice medicine by the
     Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to a person who has a
     medical conditions that would be worsened if the person wore
     protective headgear.
     
     (d)  Provides that a medical exemption must be on a form
     prescribed by the Department of Public Safety and expires the
     earlier of the 180th day, rather than the 10th day, after it
     is issued or the expiration date specified by the issuing
     physician on the form; or shall be permanent if a physician
     attests that the medical condition causing the need for the
     exemption is a permanent condition.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.
           Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to a public notice announced from the House Floor on May
17, 1995, in accordance with House Rules, the House Committee on
Transportation met in a formal meeting on the House Floor, at Desk
22, on Wednesday, May 17, 1995, and was called to order by the
Chairman, Representative Clyde Alexander at 12:20 p.m.  The Chair
laid out S.B. 1363 by Wentworth/Siebert.  Representative Bosse
moved that the Committee report S.B. 1363, without amendments, to
the full House with the recommendation that it do pass.  The motion
prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (6), Nayes (0), Absent (3),
Present not voting (0).