BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 105

By: Minjarez

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised about the lack of instruction regarding the safe operation of a vehicle near an oversize or overweight vehicle in the curriculum for driver education courses. It has been suggested that the inclusion of this information in the curriculum would help inform motorists of safe following distances and passing methods when sharing the road with these vehicles. H.B. 105 seeks to address this issue by requiring the inclusion of this information in the curriculum for these courses.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 105 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) by rule to require that information relating to methods of safely operating a motor vehicle near an oversize or overweight vehicle, including safe following distances and safe passing methods, be included in the curriculum of each driver education course and driving safety course. The bill requires TCLR to adopt the required rules not later than March 1, 2020, and requires each provider of a driver education course or driving safety course to submit the applicable curriculum to TCLR for approval not later than September 1, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.