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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of a motor vehicle while another person |
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rides in or on a portion of the vehicle not for passenger use; |
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creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 545.4135 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.4135. RIDING IN OR ON PORTION OF MOTOR VEHICLE NOT |
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FOR PASSENGER USE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person |
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operates a motor vehicle while another person rides in or on a |
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portion of the vehicle not designated or intended for the use of a |
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passenger. |
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(b) It is a defense to prosecution of an offense under this |
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section that at the time of the offense the person: |
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(1) was operating a vehicle used exclusively to |
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transport solid, semisolid, or liquid waste and the vehicle was |
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being operated in connection with the removal or transportation of |
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solid, semisolid, or liquid waste; or |
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(2) was a peace officer or other person providing law |
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enforcement, firefighting, ambulance, medical, rescue, or other |
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emergency services. |
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(c) It is a defense to prosecution of an offense under this |
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section involving a person occupying the bed of an open-bed pickup |
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truck that at the time of the offense: |
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(1) the actor was operating the vehicle under a |
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circumstance described by Section 545.414(c); or |
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(2) the person occupying the bed of the truck was 18 |
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years of age or older. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |