BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1024
	By: Nelson
	Transportation
	7/6/2017
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law authorizes certain emergency vehicles, such as police, fire, and emergency medical services, to use red and blue emergency lighting, but not all Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) security vehicles meet the current definition of an emergency vehicle that may use the lighting. This bill authorizes security vehicles at DFW to use universally recognized emergency flashing lights while securing the airport or responding to an emergency, in order to enhance public safety by increasing security visibility.

Committee Substitute

To address concerns by the Texas Municipal Police Association, a committee substitute changed the authorization from red and blue flashing lights to blue and amber flashing lights similar to tow trucks.

S.B. 1024 amends current law relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on airport security vehicles.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 22, Transportation Code, by adding Section 22.091, as follows:

Sec. 22.091.� AIRPORT SECURITY VEHICLES. (a) Defines "airport security vehicle."

(b) Authorizes an airport security vehicle to be equipped with flashing blue and amber lights visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.