SRC-JFA H.B. 853 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 853
By: Delisi (Duncan)
Economic Development
5-16-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act requires a motorist
who commits an offense to produce a motor vehicle liability insurance
policy or a certificate of self-insurance that was valid at the time of
the offense in court.  This bill establishes the seven documents that
qualify as evidence of financial responsibility for operating a motor
vehicle and would authorize a motorist who commits an offense to produce
one of the seven documents that was valid at the time of the offense in
court.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 853 authorizes seven documents that qualify as evidence
of financial responsibility for operating a motor vehicle and authorizes a
motorist who commits an offense to produce one of the seven documents that
was valid at the time of the offense in court.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 601.193, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 601.193. New heading:  DEFENSE:  FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN EFFECT
AT TIME OF ALLEGED OFFENSE.  Provides that it is a defense to prosecution
under Section 601.191 or 601.195 that the person charged produces one of
the documents listed in Section 601.053(a) that was valid at the time that
the offense is alleged to have occurred. Deletes existing Subsection (b).

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.