By Romo, Corte, et al.                                 H.B. No. 371
       74R2574 JD-D
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the safe operation of vehicles on highways.
    1-3        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-4        SECTION 1.  Section 109(a), Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on
    1-5  Highways (Article 6701d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended
    1-6  to read as follows:
    1-7        (a)  Every vehicle upon a highway within this State at any
    1-8  time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise
    1-9  and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or
   1-10  unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the
   1-11  highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred
   1-12  (500) <one thousand (1,000)> feet ahead shall display lighted lamps
   1-13  and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for
   1-14  different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect
   1-15  to parked vehicles, and further that stop lights, turn signals and
   1-16  other signaling devices shall be lighted as prescribed for the use
   1-17  of such devices.  In addition, the vehicle shall display the
   1-18  lighted lamps and illuminating devices when, because of rain,
   1-19  sleet, snow, hail, or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, the
   1-20  operator of the vehicle is making use of the vehicle's windshield
   1-21  wipers.
   1-22        SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
   1-23        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-24  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
    2-1  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-2  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    2-3  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.