1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to liability insurance for motor vehicles operated by law 1-3 enforcement officers of a political subdivision. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 612, Government Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 612.004 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 612.004. LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT MOTOR 1-8 VEHICLES OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) In this section, "law 1-9 enforcement officer" means a peace officer as defined by Article 1-10 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law. 1-11 (b) The governing body of a political subdivision shall 1-12 provide for insuring each law enforcement officer appointed or 1-13 employed by the political subdivision against liability to third 1-14 persons arising out of the officer's operation of a motor vehicle 1-15 owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the political subdivision 1-16 at any time that the officer is authorized to operate the vehicle, 1-17 including times that the officer is authorized to operate the 1-18 vehicle while off duty. 1-19 (c) The motor vehicle liability coverage must be in amounts 1-20 not less than those required by Subchapter D, Chapter 601, 1-21 Transportation Code, to establish financial responsibility. 1-22 (d) A political subdivision may satisfy this section by: 1-23 (1) electing to be self-insured under Chapter 1084, 1-24 Acts of the 70th Legislature, Regular Session, 1987 (Article 715c, 2-1 Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); 2-2 (2) entering into a risk retention group, risk 2-3 management pool, or interlocal contract with other political 2-4 subdivisions under Chapter 1084, Acts of the 70th Legislature, 2-5 Regular Session, 1987 (Article 715c, Vernon's Texas Civil 2-6 Statutes), Chapter 119, Local Government Code, or Chapter 791; or 2-7 (3) providing for coverage by an insurance company 2-8 authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. 2-9 (e) The policy may exclude coverage for operation of a motor 2-10 vehicle in the commission of a criminal offense other than a 2-11 traffic offense. 2-12 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 2-13 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-14 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1585 was passed by the House on May 1, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1585 was passed by the Senate on May 21, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor