H.B. No. 2616
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation of and lighting equipment for medical
  examiner vehicles and vehicles operated by justices of the peace in
  certain circumstances.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 545.156, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 545.156.  VEHICLE APPROACHED BY AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY
  VEHICLE. (a) This section applies only to:
               (1)  [On the immediate approach of] an authorized
  emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the
  requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702;
               (2)  a medical examiner vehicle, as defined by Section
  547.751, lawfully using a visual signal in accordance with that
  section; 
               (3)  a vehicle operated by a justice of the peace for a
  purpose described by Section 547.752 and lawfully using a visual
  signal in accordance with that section; and
               (4)  [, or of] a police vehicle lawfully using only an
  audible or visual signal.
         (a-1)  On the immediate approach of a vehicle described by
  Subsection (a), an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police
  officer, shall:
               (1)  yield the right-of-way;
               (2)  immediately drive to a position parallel to and as
  close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway
  clear of any intersection; and
               (3)  stop and remain standing until the authorized
  emergency vehicle has passed.
         (b)  This section does not exempt the operator of a [an
  authorized emergency] vehicle described by Subsection (a) from the
  duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using
  the highway.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 547, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter L-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER L-1. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR
  MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES AND VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE
  PEACE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
         Sec. 547.751.  ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR
  MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "medical examiner
  vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a
  governmental entity for use by a medical examiner or an employee of
  an office of a medical examiner in the performance of the examiner's
  or employee's duties relating to an inquest conducted under
  Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.
         (b)  A medical examiner vehicle may be equipped with either:
               (1)  mounted signal lamps that comply with the
  requirements of Section 547.702(c); or
               (2)  a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the
  vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance
  of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.
         (c)  The operator of a medical examiner vehicle may use the
  lighting equipment described by Subsection (b) only when:
               (1)  necessary to warn other vehicle operators or
  pedestrians of the approach of the medical examiner vehicle; and
               (2)  operating the vehicle in the course and scope of
  the operator's duties relating to an inquest conducted under
  Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.
         Sec. 547.752.  ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR
  VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN CERTAIN
  CIRCUMSTANCES. (a) A vehicle operated by a justice of the peace in
  the course and scope of the justice's duties as a coroner under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, may be
  equipped with either:
               (1)  mounted signal lamps that comply with the
  requirements of Section 547.702(c); or
               (2)  a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the
  vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance
  of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.
         (b)  A justice of the peace may use the lighting equipment
  described by Subsection (a) only when:
               (1)  necessary to warn other vehicle operators or
  pedestrians of the approach of a vehicle operated by a justice of
  the peace; and
               (2)  operating the vehicle in the course and scope of
  the justice's duties relating to an inquest conducted under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the House on May 5,
  2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 2, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the Senate on May
  21, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor