BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1174

By: Fallon

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Last year, a national association focusing on transportation services recorded thousands of cases in Texas of vehicles illegally passing school buses when school bus lights and stop signs were activated.  Critics assert that Texas increasing fines for this potentially dangerous violation would create a stronger deterrent for a driver in committing such a violation.  H.B. 1174 seeks to increase the penalties for failing to stop when a school bus activates its lights and stop signs.

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. 1174 amends the Transportation Code to increase the minimum fine for the misdemeanor offense relating to passing a school bus from $200 to $500 and the maximum fine for such an offense from $1,000 to $1,250. The bill enhances the penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that offense committed within five years of the date on which the most recent preceding offense was committed to a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum fine of $2,000.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.