BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2041
By: Ellis et al.
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Texas driver's license examination does not contain questions about motorists' rights and responsibilities in relation to bicyclists.
S.B. 2041 amends current law relating to requiring an applicant for a driver's license to demonstrate knowledge of motorists' rights and responsibilities in relation to bicyclists.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 521.161(b) and (c), Transportation Code, as follows:
(b) Requires the examination to include knowledge of motorists' rights and responsibilities in relation to bicyclists.
(c) Requires the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) to give each applicant the option of taking the parts, rather than the traffic law and highway sign part, of the examination under Subsections (b)(1)(B) (relating to the applicant's ability to identify and understand certain signs), (C) (relating to the applicant's knowledge of the traffic laws of this state), and (D) (relating to knowledge of the motorists' rights and responsibilities in relation to bicyclists) in writing in addition to or instead of through a mechanical, electronic, or other testing method.
SECTION 2. Provides that a driver's license examination administered by DPS is not required to include a question required by Section 521.161(b)(1)(D), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, if the examination is administered before February 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.