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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the titling, registration, and operation of an |
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autocycle; clarifying the vehicles that may be operated under |
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certain licenses; amending provisions subject to a criminal |
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penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 501.008 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.008. TITLE FOR AUTOCYCLE. (a) In this section, |
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"autocycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is: |
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(1) designed to have when propelled not more than |
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three wheels on the ground; |
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(2) equipped with a steering wheel; |
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(3) equipped with seating that does not require the |
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operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and |
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(4) manufactured and certified to comply with federal |
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safety requirements for a motorcycle. |
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(b) For purposes of issuing a title under this chapter, an |
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autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 502.004 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.004. REGISTRATION OF AUTOCYCLE. (a) In this |
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section, "autocycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, |
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that is: |
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(1) designed to have when propelled not more than |
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three wheels on the ground; |
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(2) equipped with a steering wheel; |
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(3) equipped with seating that does not require the |
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operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and |
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(4) manufactured and certified to comply with federal |
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safety requirements for a motorcycle. |
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(b) For purposes of registering a vehicle under this |
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chapter, an autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle. |
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SECTION 3. Section 521.084, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 521.084. CLASS M LICENSE. A Class M driver's license |
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authorizes the holder of the license to operate a motorcycle or |
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moped as defined by Section 541.201. |
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SECTION 4. Section 521.085(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a license holder from |
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operating a lesser type of vehicle that is a motorcycle described by |
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Section 521.001(a)(6-a) or an autocycle as defined by Section |
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501.008. |
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SECTION 5. Section 545.416, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) For purposes of Subsections (c) and (d), an autocycle as |
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defined by Section 501.008 is considered to be a motorcycle. |
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SECTION 6. Section 547.617, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 547.617. MOTORCYCLE FOOTRESTS AND HANDHOLDS REQUIRED. |
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(a) A motorcycle that is designed to carry more than one person |
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must be equipped with footrests and handholds for use by the |
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passenger. |
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(b) This section does not apply to an autocycle as defined |
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by Section 501.008 or a motorcycle as defined by Section |
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521.001(a)(6-a). |
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SECTION 7. Chapter 661, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 661.0015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 661.0015. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR FOR AUTOCYCLE. (a) In |
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this section, "autocycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a |
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tractor, that is: |
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(1) designed to have when propelled not more than |
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three wheels on the ground; |
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(2) equipped with a steering wheel; |
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(3) equipped with seating that does not require the |
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operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and |
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(4) manufactured and certified to comply with federal |
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safety requirements for a motorcycle. |
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(b) For purposes of this chapter, an autocycle is considered |
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to be a motorcycle. |
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SECTION 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |