JWW S.B. 526 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC SAFETY S.B. 526 By: Patterson, Jerry (Allen) 4-28-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Texas law contains no provisions regarding changes made to accident reports. Under this system, police officers who are asked to alter an accident report by a superior officer receive little protection. This legislation allows an accident report to be altered only by the peace officer or person who prepared the report, except if the change is made by a written supplement to the report indicating the name of the person who originated the change, in an attempt to provide more security for police officers. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 526 establishes the procedure for making a change to an accident report. 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 Subchapter D, Chapter 550, Transportation Code, by adding Section 550.068. CHANGING ACCIDENT REPORT. (a) A change made to a motor vehicle accident report may be modified only by the peace officer or person submitting the report. (b) Anyone other than the peace officer may change or modify a written accident report, but any change must be contained in a written supplement to the report which clearly states the name of the person who made the change. SECTION 2. Effective Date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency Clause.