BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2076

                                                                                                                                          By: Krusee

                                                                                                                                     Transportation

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

In the Transportation Code (541.201)(a), "authorized emergency vehicles" are currently defined as fire department or police vehicles.  The question of what defines a police vehicle is left unclear.  Some former or off-duty police officers around the state have been altering their own personal vehicles with lights or other markers that should be reserved for an authorized emergency vehicle. 

 

This bill clarifies that a law enforcement vehicle must be authorized by the appropriate law enforcement authority for use by a person described by Article 2.12 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Section 1. House Bill 2076 amends the Transportation Code by adding language in Section 541.201(1) that states that an "authorized emergency vehicle" means a law enforcement vehicle authorized by the appropriate law enforcement authority for use by a person described by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.