Amend HB 1356 by inserting the following appropriately
numbered sections nd by renumbering the subsequent sections of the
bill accordingly:
      SECTION ____.  The following laws are repealed:
            (1)  Sections 502.153, 521.143, and 548.105,
Transportation Code;
            (2)  Sections 601.051, 601.052, and 601.053,
Transportation Code; and
            (3)  Subchapters G, H, and I, Chapter 601,
Transportation Code.
      SECTION ____.  The heading of Subchapter C, Chapter 601,
Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
                SUBCHAPTER C. EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL
                  RESPONSIBILITY<; REQUIREMENTS>
      SECTION ____.  Section 601.293(c), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
      (c)  If the magistrate determines that there is a reasonable
possibility that a judgment will be rendered against the person for
bodily injury, death, or property damage sustained in the accident,
the magistrate shall order the person to provide:
            (1)  evidence of financial responsibility for the
bodily injury, death, or property damage; or
            (2)  evidence that the person is exempt from the
requirements of this chapter under Section 601.007 <requirement of
Section 601.051>.
      SECTION ____.  Section 601.296(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
      (a)  The department shall issue a certificate of release of
an impounded motor vehicle to the owner, operator, or person
authorized by the owner on submission to the department of:
            (1)  evidence of financial responsibility <under
Section 601.053> that shows that at the time of the accident the
vehicle was covered by financial responsibility that meets the
requirements of this chapter <in compliance with Section 601.051>
or was exempt from the requirements of this chapter under Section
601.007 <requirement of Section 601.051>;
            (2)  a release executed by each person damaged in the
accident other than the operator of the vehicle for which the
certificate of release is requested; or
            (3)  security in a form and amount determined by the
department to secure the payment of damages for which the operator
may be liable.
      SECTION ____.  Section 729.001(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
      (a)  A person who is at least 14 years of age but younger
than 17 years of age commits an offense if the person operates a
motor vehicle on a public road or highway, a street or alley in a
municipality, or a public beach in violation of any traffic law of
this state, including:
            (1)  Chapter 502, other than Section 502.282,
502.408(b), 502.409(c), or 502.412;
            (2)  Chapter 521;
            (3)  Subtitle C;
            (4)  <Chapter 601;>
            <(5)>  Chapter 621;
            (5) <(6)>  Chapter 661; and
            (6) <(7)>  Chapter 681.
      SECTION ____.  Sections 157.042(c) and (d), Local Government
Code, are amended to read as follows:
      (c)  A county may elect to comply with the requirements of
this section by self-insuring <in accordance with Section 34, Texas
Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Act (Article 6701h, Vernon's
Texas Civil Statutes)>.
      (d)  Liability coverage required under this section must be
in amounts equal to or greater than the amounts required by Chapter
601, Transportation Code <the Texas Motor Vehicle
Safety-Responsibility Act (Article 6701h, Vernon's Texas Civil
Statutes)>.
      SECTION ____.  (a)  The change in law made by this Act
applies only to the punishment for an offense committed on or after
the effective date of this Act.  For purposes of this section, an
offense is committed before the effective date of this Act if any
element of the offense occurs before the effective date.
      (b)  An offense committed before the effective date of this
Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
      SECTION ____.  The change in law made by this Act to Sections
601.293 and 601.296, Transportation Code, applies only to the
impoundment and release of a motor vehicle that is impounded under
Subchapter J, Chapter 601, Transportation Code, on or after the
effective date of this Act. The impoundment and release of a motor
vehicle that is impounded under Subchapter J, Chapter 601,
Transportation Code, before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law as it existed immediately before that date, and
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
      SECTION ____.  This Act takes effect January 1, 1998.
      SECTION ____.  The importance of this legislation and the
crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.