78R7788 DWS-D

By:  Pickett                                                      H.B. No. 2096



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to creation of an offense for transporting a person in 
certain trailers and semitrailers.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 545.4191 to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.4191.  PERSON RIDING IN TRAILER OR SEMITRAILER 
DRAWN BY TRUCK, ROAD TRACTOR, OR TRUCK TRACTOR.  (a)  A person may 
not operate a truck, road tractor, or truck tractor when another 
person occupies a trailer or semitrailer, other than a towable 
recreational vehicle, being drawn by the truck, road tractor, or 
truck tractor.
	(b)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that 
the person was operating or towing the vehicle in an emergency.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.