BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3950

By: Gonzales, Larry

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that more information should be included in the vehicle accident data collected by the Texas Department of Transportation. H.B. 3950 seeks to address this issue by revising the process by which certain accident reports are submitted to the department.

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. 3950, effective September 1, 2019, amends the Transportation Code to specify that a law enforcement officer's written report of a motor vehicle accident that resulted in injury to or the death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more is required to be filed electronically with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill repeals provisions requiring the operator of a vehicle involved in such an accident to make a written report of the accident if the accident is not investigated by a law enforcement officer and requiring the operator of a motor vehicle that is involved in an accident in Texas to report the accident to TxDOT under the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act.

H.B. 3950 repeals Sections 550.061 and 601.004, Transportation Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.