BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3212
87R17592 CXP-D	By: Sherman, Sr.; Wu (West)
	Transportation
	5/13/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Despite being glamorized in movies, popularized on social media, and experiencing a seeming resurgence aided by pandemic-emptied roads, street racing is dangerous and deadly. Bystanders can be injured or killed, and property can be damaged by out of control vehicles. By December 2020, the Dallas Police Department reported responding to 8,441 calls complaining of street racing, a drastic increase over the 4,867 recorded in 2019.

Cities are taking various steps to curtail street racing, such as issuing citations to those who attend and placing barriers on roads where drivers race. More strategies to curtail street racing are being considered, including vehicle seizures, and bills have been filed this session that create harsher penalties for racers. Clearly, street racing needs to be discouraged. H.B. 3212 takes the approach of making drivers more aware of the dangers involved.

H.B. 3212 would amend the Education Code, mandating that coursework be added to instructional materials for driver education and driving safety courses statewide. Currently, no formal curriculum exists that educates drivers and potential drivers on the safety risks, dangers posed, and the consequences of street racing. H.B. 3212 would require Texas drivers to be taught regarding the dangers of street racing.

H.B. 3212 amends current law relating to the inclusion of information relating to street racing in the curriculum of driver education courses and driving safety courses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 (Section 1001.1021, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, Education Code, by adding Section 1001.1021, as follows:

Sec. 1001.1021.� INFORMATION RELATING TO STREET RACING.� Requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) by rule to require that information relating to the dangers and consequences of street racing in violation of Section 545.420 (Racing on Highway), Transportation Code, be included in the curriculum of each driver education and driving safety course.

SECTION 2. (a) Requires TCLR, not later than May 1, 2022, to adopt the rules required by Section 1001.1021, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Requires each provider of a driver education course or a driving safety course, not later than September 1, 2022, to certify to TCLR that the course curriculum has been updated to include the information required by Section 1001.1021, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.