BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1182
87R15798 MP-D	By: Middleton (Taylor)
	Transportation
	5/13/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have been raised regarding ferry passengers who utilize fraudulent medical priority boarding passes. Furthermore, it has been noted that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) does not have the necessary statutory authority to enforce the medical priority boarding pass system.

H.B. 1182 creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for the operator of a motor vehicle who boards or attempts to board a ferry operated by TxDOT during medical priority boarding without proof of valid eligibility or by using a fraudulent medical priority boarding pass.

H.B. 1182 amends current law relating to proof of eligibility for medical priority boarding of ferries operated by the Texas Department of Transportation and creates a criminal offense.

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 A, Chapter 342, Transportation Code, by adding Section 342.005, as follows:

Sec. 342.005.� PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL PRIORITY BOARDING; OFFENSE. (a) Provides that the operator of a vehicle commits an offense if the operator boards or attempts to board a ferry operated by the Texas Department of Transportation during medical priority boarding and the operator:

(1)� does not possess proof that the operator or another person in the vehicle is eligible for the priority boarding; or

(2) possesses proof of eligibility for the priority boarding that is counterfeit or altered.

(b)� Provides that an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

SECTION 2.� This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.