HBA-MSH H.B. 971 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 971
By: Hardcastle
Transportation
2/21/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, it is not an offense to ride without a properly fastened
safety belt  in a truck with a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of
more than 1,500 pounds.  Also, current law does not address the need for
seatbelts to be fastened and adjusted properly so that they function
correctly in the case of an accident.  House Bill 971 provides that it is
an offense to ride in the front seat of a light truck, which has a
manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of 2,000 pounds or less, without a
seatbelt, and adds provisions relating to the proper fastening and
adjustment of safety belts. 

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 971 amends the Transportation Code to set forth that a person at
least 15 years of age who rides in the front seat of a light truck without
being secured by a properly fastened and adjusted safety belt commits an
offense.  The bill sets forth that an operator of a passenger car or light
truck who allows a child who is at least four years of age but less than 15
years in age to ride in the vehicle without a properly fastened and
adjusted safety belt commits an offense. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.