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.