SRC-ARR S.B. 60 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 60
76R1616 DWS-EBy: Moncrief
State Affairs
2/16/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires children to wear a safety belt if they are
riding in the front seat of a passenger car. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration seatbelts are 40%50% effective in
preventing fatalities and reducing injuries. Over half of those killed in
passenger cars in Texas in 1996 were not wearing seatbelts. S.B. 60 would
require certain persons to wear a safety belt when riding in any part of a
passenger car. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 60 requires persons to wear safety belts while operating
certain motor vehicles. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 545.413(a), (b) and (h), Transportation Code,
to provide that a person commits an offense if the person is riding in a
passenger car, rather than the front seat, without a seat belt and is at
least 15 years of age. Redefines "passenger car." Defines "safety belt."
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.