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).