BILL ANALYSIS
By: Farias
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
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 the operator's seat. Recently, auto manufacturers have begun to incorporate these 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 presently does not allow for the installation of this newer, safer technology.
To address this issue, C.S.H.B. 3832 would allow video receiving devices to be visible from the operator's seat, but only when the vehicle is in park or when the parking brake is applied.
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
C.S.H.B. 3832 amends the Transportation Code by allowing vehicles to be equipped with video receiving devices to be visible from the operators seat only when the vehicle transmission is in park or when the parking break is applied.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute differs from the original in that it allows for video receiving devices to be visible to the driver while the vehicle's transmission is in park or when the vehicle's parking break is applied, while the original only allows video receiving devices to be visible to the driver when the vehicle's transmission is in park.