HBA-MPM, DMD H.B. 856 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 856 By: Lewis, Ron Transportation 8/12/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislature, state law permitted a defense to prosecution for failing to wear a safety belt for persons employed by and carrying out the duties of the postal service and for persons engaged in delivering newspapers. H.B. 856 provides a defense to prosecution for failing to wear a safety belt for persons employed by and performing the duties of a public or private utility company. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 545.413(e), Transportation Code, to include as a defense for the offense of driving a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt, a person's employment by a public or private utility company to read meters or perform a similar duty for that company which requires the operator to frequently enter into and exit from a vehicle. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.