HBA-CBW S.B. 1195 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1195
By: Wentworth
Criminal Jurisprudence
4/30/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a driver with an instruction permit (permit holder) may
operate a vehicle while accompanied by a licensed driver 18 years of age or
older (licensed driver).  There are no provisions prohibiting the licensed
driver from sleeping while the permit holder operates the vehicle.  Senate
Bill 1195 establishes that a licensed driver who occupies the seat in a
vehicle by a permit holder commits an offense if, while the permit holder
is operating the vehicle,  the licensed driver sleeps, is intoxicated, or
is engaged in an activity that prevents the person from observing and
responding to the actions of the permit holder. 

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

Senate Bill 1195 amends the Transportation Code to provide that a person
who occupies the seat in a vehicle by a holder of an instruction permit
commits an offense if, while the holder is operating the vehicle, the
person sleeps, is intoxicated, or is engaged in an activity that prevents
the person from observing and responding to the actions of the operator. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.