BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 926

By: Huffman

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Owners of emergency vehicles have received red light camera citations for going through red lights while operating in the line of duty.

S.B. 926 prohibits a local authority from imposing or attempting to impose a civil penalty on the owner of an authorized emergency vehicle for a violation recorded by a photographic traffic signal enforcement system. The bill provides that an employer is not prohibited from taking disciplinary action against an employee who operated the vehicle in violation of a rule or policy of the employer.

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

S.B. 926 amends the Transportation Code to prohibit a local authority from imposing or attempting to impose a civil penalty on the owner of an authorized emergency vehicle for a violation recorded by a photographic traffic signal enforcement system. The bill specifies that its provisions do not prohibit an employer from taking disciplinary action against an employee who operates an authorized emergency vehicle in violation of a rule or policy of the employer. The bill establishes that for these purposes, "authorized emergency vehicle" has the meaning assigned by the law governing rules of the road.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.