BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3832
80R14769 DWS-F By: Farias (Uresti)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current statute requires that any video receiving equipment such as televisions or DVD players be placed in such a way that the video display is not visible from a motor vehicle operator's seat. Recently, auto manufacturers have begun to incorporate video receiving devices, specifically DVD players, into the navigation systems of newer model vehicles. As a feature of these devices, if the screens are visible to the operator (for instance, while in use as a navigational/tracking device), the DVD playback device will not function unless the vehicle is set in park or the parking break is applied. The language of Chapter 547 (Vehicle Equipment), Transportation Code, presently does not allow for the installation of this newer, safer technology.
H.B. 3832 authorizes video receiving devices to be visible from the operator's seat only if the vehicle's transmission is in park or if the vehicle's parking brake is applied.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 547.611(a), Transportation Code, to authorize a motor vehicle to be equipped with certain video receiving equipment only if the equipment is located so that the video display is not visible from the operator's seat unless the vehicle's transmission is in park or the vehicle's parking brake is applied.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.