SRC-BWC S.B. 113 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 113
By: Moncrief
Jurisprudence
6/7/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law requires all children between the ages of four and 15
to wear a seatbelt while riding in a vehicle.  S.B. 113 increases the age
from 15 to 17 regarding the requirement for passengers anywhere in the
vehicle to wear a safety belt.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 545.412(a) and (f), Transportation Code, by
providing that a person commits an offense if the person operates a
passenger vehicle, rather than a car or light truck, transports a child who
is younger than four, rather than two, years of age or less than 36 inches
in height, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the
vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the
instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.  Makes
nonsubstantive changes.  Defines "passenger vehicle," "safety belt," and
"secured."  Makes nonsubstantive changes.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 545.413(a)-(c), and (h), Transportation Code, by
providing that a person commits an offense if the person allows a child who
is at least four years of age but younger than 17, rather than 15, years of
age to ride in the vehicle without requiring the child to be secured in a
safety belt, providing that the occupied seat is equipped with a safety
belt.  Provides that it is a defense to prosecution under this section that
the person meets certain requirements or the person is operating a
commercial vehicle registered as a farm vehicle under the provisions of
Section 502.163 that does not have a gross weight, registered weight, or
gross weight rating of 48,000 pounds or more.  Deletes the definition of
"passenger car" and "safety belt."  Makes conforming  changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 547K, Transportation Code, by adding Section
547.614, as follows: 

Sec. 547.614.  RESTRICTIONS ON AIRBAGS.  Provides that a person commits a
Class A misdemeanor if the person knowingly installs or purports to install
an airbag in a vehicle and does not install an airbag that meets all
applicable federal safety regulations for an airbag installed in a vehicle
of the make, model, and year. 

SECTION 4.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.