79R5004 MTB-D
By: Paxton H.B. No. 1596
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of neighborhood electric vehicles and
motor assisted scooters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 551.303, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 551.303. OPERATION ON ROADWAYS OR SIDEWALKS. (a) A
neighborhood electric vehicle or motor assisted scooter may be
operated only on a street or highway for which the posted speed
limit is 35 miles per hour or less. The [A neighborhood electric]
vehicle may cross a road or street at an intersection where the road
or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(b) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of a
neighborhood electric vehicle or motor assisted scooter on a
street, [or] highway, or sidewalk if the governing body of the
county or municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary
in the interest of safety.
(c) The department [Texas Department of Transportation] may
prohibit the operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle or motor
assisted scooter on a highway if it [that department] determines
that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(d) A person may operate a motor assisted scooter on a path
set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles or on a sidewalk.
Except as otherwise provided by this section, a provision of this
title applicable to the operation of a bicycle applies to the
operation of a motor assisted scooter.
(e) A provision of this title applicable to a motor vehicle
does not apply to a motor assisted scooter.
SECTION 2. Section 551.302, Transportation Code, as added
by Chapter 1325, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session,
2003, is repealed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.