BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1223

By: Murr

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that a police vehicle should be allowed to use either audible or visual signals to require other drivers to yield the right-of-way. H.B. 1223 seeks to address this issue by requiring drivers to yield the right-of-way on the immediate approach of a police vehicle lawfully using a visual signal.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1223 amends the Transportation Code to include the immediate approach of a police vehicle lawfully using a visual signal as a circumstance under which the operator of a vehicle is required to yield the right-of-way, immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection, and stop and remain standing until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. The bill removes the provision limiting the authorization for the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, in operating the vehicle, to park or stand to those circumstances in which the operator is responding to an emergency call, pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the law, responding to but not returning from a fire alarm, directing or diverting traffic for public safety purposes, or conducting a police escort.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.