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