86R25599 MP-D
 
  By: Rodriguez H.B. No. 2715
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2715:
 
  By:  Landgraf C.S.H.B. No. 2715
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation on
  shared motor-assisted scooters.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "motor-assisted
  scooter" has the meaning assigned by Section 551.351,
  Transportation Code.
         SECTION 2.  STUDY AND REPORT. (a)  The Texas Department of
  Transportation, in consultation with the Texas A&M Transportation
  Institute or other institutions of higher education, local
  governments, or industry representatives, shall conduct a study on
  the use of shared motor-assisted scooters.
         (b)  The study must examine:
               (1)  the legal definition and existing local regulation
  of shared motor-assisted scooters;
               (2)  the liability issues related to shared
  motor-assisted scooter use and accidents;
               (3)  the operation of shared motor-assisted scooters,
  including:
                     (A)  safety standards;
                     (B)  interaction with pedestrians;
                     (C)  shared infrastructure; and
                     (D)  operator qualifications;
               (4)  the economic impact of shared motor-assisted
  scooters, including any burdens on or benefits to local
  governments;
               (5)  accessibility of shared motor-assisted scooters;
               (6)  shared motor-assisted scooters' impact on public
  transportation;
               (7)  the social norms of shared motor-assisted scooter
  use, including shared motor-assisted scooter etiquette; and
               (8)  how shared motor-assisted scooters have been and
  may be integrated into the overall transportation system.
         (c)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the Texas Department of
  Transportation shall submit to the legislature a report on the
  findings of the study conducted under this section.
         SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2021.
         SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2019.