HBA-ALS S.B. 60 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 60
By: Moncrief
Transportation
4/19/1999
Engrossed



HBA-MPA H.B. 30 76(R)    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1985, the State of Texas implemented mandatory safety belt use for front
seat occupants in a passenger vehicle.  However, when this law was
implemented, rear seat passengers were not required to wear safety belts.
In addition, some sport utility trucks are not included in the definition
of a passenger vehicle in the state statute. S.B. 60 requires all
passengers between the ages of four and 15 in a passenger vehicle to wear a
safety belt and amends the definition of  passenger vehicle to include
certain trucks that are currently exempt from the statute.  

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 Sections 545.413 (b) and (h), Transportation Code, as
follows: 

(b)  Provides that a person commits an offense if the person allows a child
at least four years and less than 15 years of age to ride in a passenger
car during its operation and occupy a seat equipped with a safety belt
without wearing the belt.  Deletes the provision that the person must be
riding in the front seat. 

(h)  Defines "passenger car" to include pickup trucks and "safety belt."

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective Date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.