1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of certain local entities to create a
 1-3     presumption in  a prosecution for an offense involving the parking,
 1-4     standing, or stopping of a motor vehicle.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Section 251.156, Transportation Code, is amended
 1-7     to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 251.156.  PARKING RESTRICTIONS. (a)  The commissioners
 1-9     court of a county by order may have signs installed that prohibit
1-10     or restrict the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle in a
1-11     restricted traffic zone on property described by Section 251.151,
1-12     if in the opinion of the court the stopping, standing, or parking:
1-13                 (1)  is dangerous to those using the road or property;
1-14     or
1-15                 (2)  will unduly interfere with:
1-16                       (A)  the free movement of traffic; or
1-17                       (B)  the necessary control or use of the
1-18     property.
1-19           (b)  The commissioners court of a county by order may provide
1-20     that in a prosecution for an offense involving the stopping,
1-21     standing, or parking of an unattended motor vehicle in a restricted
1-22     traffic zone on property described by Section 251.151 it is
1-23     presumed that the registered owner of the vehicle is the person who
1-24     stopped, stood, or parked the vehicle at the time and place the
 2-1     offense occurred.
 2-2           SECTION 2. Subchapter G, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is
 2-3     amended by adding Section 545.308 to read as follows:
 2-4           Sec. 545.308.  PRESUMPTION. The governing body of a local
 2-5     authority, by ordinance, order, or other official action, may
 2-6     provide that in a prosecution for an offense under this subchapter
 2-7     involving the stopping, standing, or parking of an unattended motor
 2-8     vehicle it is presumed that the registered owner of the vehicle is
 2-9     the person who stopped, stood, or parked the vehicle at the time
2-10     and place the offense occurred.
2-11           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2173 was passed by the House on
         April 20, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2173 was passed by the Senate on
         May 23, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present,
         not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor