HBA-MSH H.B. 674 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 674
By: Elkins
Transportation
7/26/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under state law, vehicles are prohibited from parking on a sidewalk.  Some
houses were situated such that there was not enough room to park in the
driveway without blocking the sidewalk.  This was especially a problem for
corner lots where the garage was located on the side of the house.  House
Bill 674 authorizes the governing body of a municipality or county to adopt
an ordinance or order to authorize an operator to stop, stand, or park a
vehicle on a portion of a sidewalk that extends across a driveway. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 674 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the governing
body of a municipality or county to adopt an ordinance or order allowing
the operator of a passenger car or light truck to stop, stand, or park the
vehicle on a portion of a sidewalk that extends across a private driveway
if the driveway is not long enough to permit the operator to stop, stand,
or park in the driveway without stopping, standing, or parking on the
sidewalk.  The bill provides that in a conflict between state law and an
ordinance or order regarding stopping, standing, or parking on a sidewalk,
the ordinance or order prevails. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Vetoed.