BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4904
89R22460 MZM-F	By: Guillen (Zaffirini)
	State Affairs
	5/23/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, property owners who allow motorcycle training courses to be held on their land may be held legally responsible for incidents that occur during instruction, even if they have no role in the training itself. This potential for liability discourages property owners from making space available for motorcycle safety courses, limiting access to essential training programs that promote public safety. H.B. 4904 would protect property owners from civil liability for actions or omissions that occur during motorcycle instruction or instructor training conducted on their property. This protection would not apply in cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Accordingly, this bill encourages broader availability of motorcycle safety training sites by removing a barrier to property owner participation. 

H.B. 4904 amends current law relating to civil liability of property owners relating to motorcycle instruction and training courses.

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 Chapter 662, Transportation Code, by adding Section 662.014, as follows:

Sec. 662.014. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY OWNERS. (a) Provides that an owner of property on which instruction on motorcycle operation and safety by an instructor or an instructor training course takes place is not liable for any act or omission that occurs during the instruction or course.

(b) Provides that Subsection (a) does not apply to a cause of action arising from an act or omission constituting gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

SECTION 2. Makes application of Section 662.014, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.