HBA-MPM, ALS H.B. 2920 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2920 By: Pitts Transportation 9/14/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under federal law, all motorcycles manufactured for sale in the United States after 1980 are required to have a headlight that automatically turns on when the motorcycle is started. Prior to the 76th Legislature, Texas law required all motorcycles operated on Texas roads to have the headlight turned on during the day as well as at night. The law exempted motorcycles that were manufactured in England before 1975 due to the fact that many older British bikes have unreliable electrical systems. However, some individuals believed such an exemption would also benefit other older motorcycles. H.B. 2920 exempts all motorcycles manufactured before 1975 from the statute which prohibits operating a motorcycle unless at least one headlamp is illuminated. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 547.801(d), Transportation Code, to prohibit a motorcycle from being operated at any time unless at least one headlamp on the motorcycle is illuminated. Provides that this subsection does not apply to motorcycles manufactured before the model year 1975, rather than to motorcycles manufactured in England before the model year 1975. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.