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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2003, is repealed.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.