79R341 MSE-D

By:  Eiland                                                       H.B. No. 1118



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to operating a motor vehicle with a person riding in a boat 
or personal watercraft being drawn by the vehicle; creating an 
offense.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 545.4145 to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.4145.  PERSON RIDING IN BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT 
DRAWN BY VEHICLE; OFFENSE.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the 
person operates a motor vehicle on a roadway when another person 
occupies a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor 
vehicle.
	(b)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that 
the person was operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an 
emergency.
	(c)  In this section, "boat" and "personal watercraft" have 
the meanings assigned by Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.