BILL ANALYSIS
By: Jones, Jesse
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Lawnmower accidents cause devastating injuries, including deep lacerations, loss of appendages, broken bones and in some cases limb amputations. Unfortunately, a number of these accidents involve young children. Many of these accidents are caused by improper use of riding and push lawnmowers. These accidents could be easily prevented by following simple safety guidelines designed for lawnmowers. Committee Substitute House Bill 1372 prohibits a child younger than 14 years of age from riding on a lawnmower unless the riding lawnmower is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger. The bill would also prohibit a child younger than 10 years of age from operating a power lawn mower.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Commissioner of Education in SECTION 1 of this bill.
ANALYSIS
Amends Chapter 756 of the Health and Safety Code by adding Subchapter I as followers:
Defines the terms "riding law mower"; "power lawn mower" and "lawn mower".
Requires a person who sells, leases, or rents a lawn mower, power lawn mower, or riding lawn mower to affix a warning notice to the lawn mower warning against improper use of the lawn mower. Requires a person who sells, leases, or rents a lawn mower, power lawn mower, or riding lawn mower to give to a consumer upon request, minimum safety instructions regarding the use of the lawn mower.
Establishes a Lawn Mower Account and Grant Program. The program will be administered by the Texas Education Agency. The commissioner of education shall adopt rules to administer the grant program. Community-based organizations may receive grants from this account to fund lawn mower safety and education programs. Permits the agency to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations of money for the program. Money received by the agency through gifts, grants, or donations shall be deposited in the lawn mower safety account.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
CSHB 1372 removes prohibitions against persons of certain ages operating or being a passenger on a lawn mower. Removes language in the bill as filed that created an offense for violation of these prohibitions. CSHB 1372 establishes the Lawn Mower Account and Grant Program and requires a warning notice against improper use to be affixed to any lawn mower, power lawn mower, or riding lawn mower that is sold, leased, or rented. CSHB 1372 also requires lawn mower safety instructions to be provided upon customer request.