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.