BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 529

By: Miller, Sid

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, tow trucks, emergency vehicles, and school and church buses are authorized to use flashing red, white, or blue lights on their vehicles. Other vehicles that are not police vehicles sometimes use blue lights as well, including construction vehicles. Texas law requires a motor vehicle operator to slow down to a speed 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and to move away from a stationary police vehicle with its lights flashing. The abundance of vehicles using blue lights can create confusion and noncompliance with laws in place to protect the safety of police officers. Many other states authorize only police vehicles to use flashing blue lights.

H.B. 529 would restrict the use of blue lights to authorized emergency vehicles only. 

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

H.B. 529 amends the Transportation Code to exempt a person operating an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with a blue light from a prohibition on operating a motor vehicle equipped with a blue light.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.