86R5004 BEE-D
 
  By: Watson S.B. No. 1135
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation of public transit vehicles equipped with
  connected braking systems.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 545.0621 to read as follows:
         Sec. 545.0621.  FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC
  TRANSIT VEHICLES. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Automated motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 545.451.
               (2)  "Connected braking system" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 545.062(d).
               (3)  "Public transit vehicle" means a bus or other
  vehicle, including an automated motor vehicle, used to provide
  transit services to the public by:
                     (A)  a political subdivision of this state; or 
                     (B)  a private entity operating under a contract
  with a political subdivision of this state.
         (b)  Sections 545.062(b), (c), and (d) do not apply to an
  operator of a public transit vehicle that is following one or more
  other public transit vehicles if:
               (1)  the vehicles are equipped with a connected braking
  system; and
               (2)  the speed of each vehicle is automatically
  coordinated through the connected braking system.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter J, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 545.457 to read as follows:
         Sec. 545.457.  FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR CERTAIN AUTOMATED
  MOTOR VEHICLES.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Connected braking system" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 545.062(d).
               (2)  "Public transit vehicle" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 545.0621.
         (b)  This section applies only to an automated motor vehicle
  that is a public transit vehicle.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Section 545.062, an automated motor
  vehicle equipped with a connected braking system that is following
  another automated motor vehicle equipped with that system may be
  assisted by the system to maintain any desired distance between the
  vehicles.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.