SRC-MSY C.S.S.B. 209 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 209
By: Carona
Infrastructure Development and Security
3/4/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a motor vehicle may only be equipped with video
receiving equipment, such as a television, if the equipment is located so
that the video display is not visible from the operator's seat. This
provision does not cover newer technology, such as videocassette players
or digital video disc players.  C.S.S.B. 209 adds digital video disc
players and  videocassette players to those devices that can be used in a
motor vehicle only if the equipment's video display is not visible from
the vehicle operator's seat.  In addition, C.S.S.B. 209 creates an
exception for video displayed used to monitor equipment used to service
natural gas, water, or electric utilities. 

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 the heading of Section 547.611, Transportation Code, to
read as follows: 

Sec.  547.611.  USE OF CERTAIN VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION RECEIVERS.

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 547.611(a) and (c), Transportation Code, as
follows:  (a) Authorizes a motor vehicle to be equipped with video
receiving equipment, including a television, a digital video disc player,
a videocassette player or similar equipment, only if the display is not
visible from the operator's seat. 

(c)  Exempts equipment used exclusively for monitoring the performance of
equipment installed on a vehicle used for safety purposes in connection
with the operations of certain utilities. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
Makes application of this Act prospective.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

In SECTION 1:  Changes the proposed text for the heading of Section
547.611. 

In SECTION 2:  Changes language describing permitted equipment to "digital
video disc player, a videocassette player, or similar equipment."  Adds
Subsection (c)(1)(D) regarding video displays in vehicles used for certain
purposes.