C.S.H.B. 761 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 761
By: Coleman
Transportation
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 
H.B. 761 78(R)    
As currently written, the Transportation Code permits individuals who use
parking spaces designated for disabled individuals as merchandise delivery
or loading zones to escape punishment.  The current statute fails to make
it an offense to temporarily halt a vehicle in a space designated for
disabled individuals when loading or unloading merchandise.  This Act
allows a person who temporarily leaves his vehicle in a space designated
for disabled parking while delivering or loading goods to be held liable
for that action. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Section I.  Amends Section 681.001, Transportation Code, by adding the
definitions of  "stand"or "standing". 

Section II.  Amends Section 681.011, Transportation Code, by making it an
offense to stand a vehicle in a place designated for disabled access
without the proper disabled parking placard or other disabled designation. 

Section III.  The change in law applies to offenses committed after the
effective date of this Act. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute differs from the original in that the original included the
definition of "park" or "parking" as an offense.  The substitute removes
the definition of "park" and removed "park/parking" as an offense and left
"stand/standing" as an offense.