BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 866

79R6859 MTB-F                                                                                                              By: Staples

Transportation & Homeland Security

3/17/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, only officers defined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Articles 2.12 (1)-(4), are able to operate their sirens and lights when escorting or directing traffic.  When escorting a parade, directing traffic, or performing other non-emergency but public safety-related activities, university, school district, and metropolitan rapid transit authority police officers act illegally if they operate the lights on top of their vehicles or sirens. 

As proposed, S.B. 866 would allow university, school district, and metropolitan rapid transit authority police vehicles to operate in emergency capacities when facilitating the movement of a funeral, oversized or hazardous load, or other traffic disruption for public safety purposes.  

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(a), Transportation Code, to redefine "police escort."

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.