HBA-CMT H.B. 2230 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2230 By: McReynolds Public Safety 7/19/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, there was a conflict in the Transportation Code between Chapter 550 and the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act (MVSRA), that related to accident reports filed with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Under Chapter 550, a peace officer who was notified of a motor vehicle accident with damages to an apparent extent of at least $500 was authorized to investigate the accident and file justifiable charges relating to the accident. This resulted in a large amount of paperwork that was submitted to DPS that was not needed because the MVSRA restricts enforcement action to be taken by DPS unless the damage amount is $1,000 or more. House Bill 2230 increases the amount needed to investigate to $1,000. 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 2230 amends the Transportation Code to increase the minimum amount of apparent damage resulting from a motor vehicle accident from $500 to $1,000 needed to allow a peace officer to investigate and file justifiable charges relating to the accident. The bill increases from $500 to $1,000 the minimum amount of apparent damage resulting from a motor vehicle accident for which the vehicle's operator is required to report the accident to the Department of Public Safety no later than 10 days after the accident. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.