SRC-JRN H.B. 1585 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1585 By: Hirschi (Gallegos) Intergovernmental Relations 5-8-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, Texas law requires municipalities and counties with a population of 1.4 million or more to provide motor vehicle liability insurance for peace officers who operate city or county vehicles. This coverage does not necessarily include the operation of a city or county vehicle while off-duty, even though the employee is authorized to operate the vehicle off-duty; there also is no requirement for other political subdivisions to insure their peace officers against liability to third persons arising out of the officer's operation of a government-owned vehicle. This bill requires political subdivisions employing law enforcement officers to insure those officers against liability to third persons arising out of the officer's operation of a motor vehicle at any time that the officer is authorized to operate the vehicle. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1585 requires political subdivisions employing law enforcement officers to insure those officers against liability to third persons arising out of the officer's operation of a motor vehicle at any time that the officer is authorized to operate the vehicle. 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 Chapter 612, Government Code, by adding Section 612.004, as follows: Sec. 612.004. LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT MOTOR VEHICLES OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. Defines "law enforcement officer." Requires the governing body of a political subdivision to provide for insuring each appointed or employed law enforcement officer against liability to third persons arising out of the officer's operation of a motor vehicle controlled by the political subdivision at any time the officer is authorized to operate the vehicle, including times that the officer is authorized to operate the vehicle while off-duty. Requires the motor vehicle liability coverage to be in amounts not less than those required by Chapter 601D, Transportation Code, to establish financial responsibility. Provides that a political subdivision may satisfy this section by meeting certain insurance coverage requirements. Authorizes the policy to exclude coverage for operation of a motor vehicle in the commission of a criminal offense other than a traffic offense. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.