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By:  Wentworth                                                    S.B. No. 1715
	(In the Senate - Filed March 14, 2003; March 20, 2003, read 
first time and referred to Committee on Infrastructure Development 
and Security; April 16, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable 
Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; 
April 16, 2003, sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1715                                   By:  Wentworth


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.                           



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