HBA-PDH H.B. 1492 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1492 By: Alexander Transportation 2/26/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a person between 15 and 18 years of age is eligible for a special restricted Class M license to operate a motorcycle that has not more than a 125 cubic centimeter displacement. Some have complained that motorcycles of this type are not available in sufficient quantity and are unsafe in traffic. H.B. 1492 increases the maximum cubic centimeter displacement from 125 to 250 cubic centimeters. This bill also requires the Texas Department of Transportation to compile a list of vehicles that are certified as mopeds and make this list available to the public. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Department of Transportation in SECTION 2 (Section 521.225, Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 521.224(b) and (e), Transportation Code, by increasing from 125 to 250 the maximum cubic centimeter piston displacement for which the Texas Department of Transportation (department) may issue a special restricted Class M license that authorizes the holder to operate a motorcycle. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.225, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (d), to require the department to certify whether a vehicle alleged to be a moped is a moped. Requires the department, by rule, to establish the procedure for determining whether a vehicle is a moped, compile a list of mopeds certified by the department, and make the list available to the public on request. SECTION 3. Amends Section 541.201(10), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 521.266 (Certification), Transportation Code. Section 521.266 provides the requirements of the Department of Transportation regarding the certification of motorcycles. SECTION 5.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 6.Emergency clause.