79R15651 UM-D


By:  Jones of Dallas                                              H.B. No. 1372

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1372:                                   

By:  Cook of Navarro                                          C.S.H.B. No. 1372



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of lawn mowers.                                     
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 756, Health and Safety Code, is amended 
by adding Subchapter I to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER I.  LAWN MOWER SAFETY AWARENESS
	Sec. 756.151.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                         
		(1)  "Lawn mower" means a machine that is equipped with 
a blade for cutting grass and is designed by the manufacturer for 
lawn care.
		(2)  "Power lawn mower" means a lawn mower that is:                    
			(A)  powered by a gasoline or electric motor; and                     
			(B)  not equipped with a saddle for the use of a 
rider.             
		(3)  "Riding lawn mower" means a lawn mower that is 
equipped with a saddle for the use of:
			(A)  a rider; and                                                     
			(B)  a passenger, if the lawn mower is designed by 
the manufacturer to transport a passenger.
	Sec. 756.152.  REQUIRED WARNINGS.  A person who sells, 
leases, or rents a lawn mower, power lawn mower, or riding lawn 
mower shall:
		(1)  affix a warning to the lawn mower that reads, 
"WARNING: The use of this lawn mower by a person younger than 16 
years of age is dangerous without proper supervision."; and
		(2)  if requested by the person buying, leasing, or 
renting the lawn mower, provide minimum safety instruction 
regarding the use of the lawn mower in the following subjects:
			(A)  preparing the lawn for mowing;                                   
			(B)  handling fuel for the lawn mower;                                
			(C)  appropriate clothing and shoes for mowing;                       
			(D)  proper inspection of safety devices on the 
lawn mower;         
			(E)  the benefits of using a lawn mower with an 
automatic blade cutoff;
			(F)  not mowing the lawn while the grass is wet; 
and                
			(G)  the dangers associated with riding lawn 
mowers.                
	Sec. 756.153.  LAWN MOWER SAFETY ACCOUNT AND GRANT PROGRAM.  
(a)  The lawn mower safety account is an account in the general 
revenue fund.  Money in the account may be appropriated only to the 
Texas Education Agency to make grants to community-based 
organizations to fund lawn mower safety and education programs.
	(b)  The commissioner of education may adopt rules to 
administer the grant program under Subsection (a).
	(c)  The Texas Education Agency may solicit and accept gifts, 
grants, and donations of money for the lawn mower safety awareness 
and education grant program established in Subsection (a).
	(d)  The Texas Education Agency shall deposit any gifts, 
grants, or donations of money received under Subsection (c) in the 
lawn mower safety account.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.