SRC-AMY S.B. 461 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 461
By: Staples
Infrastructure Development and Security
8/18/2003
Enrolled
DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law allows the operator of an emergency vehicle to
function contrary to some traffic laws, including exceeding the speed
limit; failing to stop at a red traffic signal; and standing or parking in
a prohibited manner.  Emergency vehicles can break these laws when
responding to an emergency call for service; pursuing an actual or
suspected violator of the law; or responding to a fire alarm, but not when
directing traffic or functioning as a police escort. S.B. 461 expands the
statute to allow emergency vehicles to break certain traffic laws while
providing a police escort or directing or diverting traffic. 

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 Section 546.002, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 546.002.  WHEN CONDUCT PERMISSIBLE. (a) Defines "police escort."

(b)  Creates Subsection (b) from existing text.  Includes in the list of
situations to which Section 546.001 applies, directing or diverting
traffic for public safety purposes and conducting a police escort. Makes
nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.