BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2968

By: Bonnen, Dennis

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the current authorization for the restricted use of a golf cart or utility vehicle on public highways in certain municipalities and counties does not adequately account for the unincorporated areas of counties with similar features. H.B. 2968 seeks to address this issue by revising the conditions under which these vehicles may operate on a public highway in certain counties.

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. 2968 amends the Transportation Code to change the conditions for a statutory provision relating to the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles in certain counties on all or part of certain public highways to apply to a county adjacent to a county that borders or contains a portion of the Guadalupe River and contains a part of a barrier island that borders the Gulf of Mexico from the county having a population of less than 30,000 and containing a part of a barrier island that borders the Gulf of Mexico to the county having a population of less than 37,000 and containing a part of a barrier island or peninsula that borders the Gulf of Mexico.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.