By: Martinez Fischer (Senate Sponsor - Uresti) H.B. No. 1798
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 16, 2007;
  April 17, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Transportation and Homeland Security; May 16, 2007, reported
  favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 16, 2007,
  sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the criminal consequences of driving a motor vehicle on
  certain designated right-of-way of a metropolitan rapid transit
  authority.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 451, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 451.113 to read as follows:
         Sec. 451.113.  DRIVING ON CERTAIN AUTHORITY RIGHT-OF-WAY;
  PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if, as the operator of a
  motor vehicle, the person drives on a designated right-of-way of an
  authority that is used in connection with a motor bus rapid transit
  system.
         (b)  It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a)
  that the person:
               (1)  was driving a motor vehicle owned or under the
  control of the authority and was authorized to drive the vehicle on
  the designated right-of-way; or
               (2)  was driving an authorized emergency vehicle, as
  defined by Section 541.201, and responding to a call.
         (c)  Subsection (a) may be enforced by any peace officer
  listed in Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, in whose
  jurisdiction the offense is committed.
         (d)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
  * * * * *