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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a commission to study drowsy driving. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) The Drowsy Driving Study Commission is |
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created to study the effect of drowsy driving on highway safety. |
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The commission shall: |
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(1) study the effects of sleep deprivation on persons |
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operating a motor vehicle on public roadways; |
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(2) determine scientific and legal standards to be |
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applied by law enforcement officials and the court system in |
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determining whether a driver is operating a motor vehicle while |
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sleep deprived; |
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(3) suggest appropriate sanctions for operating a |
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motor vehicle while sleep deprived; and |
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(4) develop programs to: |
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(A) educate drivers about the effects of driving |
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while sleep deprived; and |
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(B) train law enforcement officials to recognize |
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the symptoms of sleep deprivation. |
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(b) The commission is composed of seven members as follows: |
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(1) one member of the house of representatives, |
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appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; |
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(2) one member of the senate, appointed by the |
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lieutenant governor; and |
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(3) five members appointed by the governor, of which: |
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(A) one is a member of the academic or medical |
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community with expertise in sleep deprivation research; |
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(B) one is a representative of the Texas |
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Department of Transportation; |
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(C) one is a representative of the Department of |
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Public Safety; |
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(D) one is a representative of the Texas |
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Transportation Institute; and |
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(E) one is a member of the public. |
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(c) The speaker of the house of representatives shall select |
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one member of the commission to serve as chair of the commission. |
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(d) A member of the commission is not entitled to |
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reimbursement of expenses or to compensation. |
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(e) The commission may accept gifts and grants from any |
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source to be used to carry out a function of the commission. |
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(f) On the commission's request, the comptroller or any |
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other state agency, department, or office shall provide any |
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assistance the commission needs to perform the commission's duties. |
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(g) Not later than July 1, 2014, the commission shall issue |
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a report summarizing: |
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(1) the commission's findings and recommendations; |
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(2) any legislation proposed by the commission; and |
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(3) any administrative recommendations proposed by |
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the commission. |
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(h) The commission shall promptly deliver copies of the |
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report, and drafts of any proposed legislation and administrative |
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recommendations necessary to implement the commission's findings, |
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to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of |
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representatives. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2013, the governor, |
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lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives |
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shall appoint the members to the Drowsy Driving Study Commission |
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established under Section 1 of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act expires and the Drowsy Driving Study |
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Commission is abolished on January 1, 2015. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |