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By: Wentworth S.B. No. 1715
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to lighting equipment requirements for vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 547.323, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (b-1) and (g) to
read as follows:
(b-1) A passenger car manufactured or assembled after the
model year 1986 and a multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, or bus
manufactured or assembled after the model year 1994 that has a gross
vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds and is less than 80
inches wide shall be equipped with a centrally located,
high-mounted stoplamp.
(d) A stoplamp shall emit a red or amber light, or a color
between red and amber, that is:
(1) visible in normal sunlight at a distance of at
least 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle; and
(2) displayed only on application of the vehicle
service brake and is continuously displayed as long as [when] the
vehicle service brake is applied.
(g) The observable illuminated area of a stoplamp may not be
less than required under a rule adopted by the department or an
applicable federal standard.
SECTION 2. Section 547.324, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) The observable illuminated area of a turn signal lamp
may not be less than required under a rule adopted by the department
or an applicable federal standard.
SECTION 3. Subchapter E, Chapter 547, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 547.336 to read as follows:
Sec. 547.336. PROHIBITION OF DECORATIVE AND ANCILLARY
LIGHTING. (a) A person may not operate or move a vehicle
displaying a lamp, reflective device, or other lighting equipment
that is not required or permitted by this subtitle or an applicable
federal standard at the time the vehicle was manufactured or
assembled.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this
section that the lamp, reflective device, or other lighting
equipment prohibited by Subsection (a) was not emitting light
visible on the exterior of the vehicle while the person operated or
moved the vehicle on a public highway.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) a taxicab or other mass transit vehicle equipped
as authorized by a municipal authority; or
(2) a vehicle participating in a parade.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1
Amend SB 1715 by Wentworth to read as follows:
(1) On page 2, line 4, strike Section 3. Subchapter E, Chapter 547,
Transportation Code.
Phillips