By: Hunter (Senate Sponsor - Hegar) H.B. No. 2981

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2011; May 5, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security; May 20, 2011, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 20, 2011, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2981 By: Hinojosa

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child is riding; providing a penalty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 545.4145 to read as follows:

Sec. 545.4145. RIDING IN OR ON BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT DRAWN BY VEHICLE; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:

(1) operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an emergency; or

(2) operating the motor vehicle on a beach.

(c) In this section, "boat" and "personal watercraft" have the meanings assigned by Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

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