RS H.B. 853 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS INSURANCE H.B. 853 By: Delisi 4-24-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, a motorist who commits an offense and must prove financial responsibility for a motor vehicle in a court of law may do so by presenting a motor vehicle liability insurance policy or a certificate of self-insurance that was valid at the time of the offense. Section 601.053, Transportation Code, lists seven items that may serve as proof of financial responsibility. Generally, courts accept the presentation of any one article proving financial responsibility; however, a few courts require that motorists show entire policies or multiple articles as proof. This bill defines that an individual may present one of the articles listed as proof of financial responsibility under Section 601.053. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 853 clarifies that a person who must show proof of financial responsibility in a court of law, need only produce one such document of proof. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 601.193, Transportation Code, by adding that one of the documents listed in Section 601.053(a) may serve as a defense to prosecution under Section 601.191 or 601.195. SECTION 2. Emergency Clause