HBA-DMH H.B. 1378 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1378 By: McReynolds Transportation 7/16/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, motorized mobility devices used by persons with disabilities were classified as motor vehicles. As such, all persons using a wheelchair or scooter were technically required to register with the state and have a license to operate these devices. This classification also prevented motorized mobility devices from being lawfully operated on sidewalks. House Bill 1378 exempts the owner of a motorized mobility device from vehicle registration requirements. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 1378 amends the Transportation Code to provide that the owner of a motorized mobility device (device) that is designed for the transportation of a person with physical disabilities is not required to register the device as a motor vehicle. A person operating a device or nonmotorized wheelchair is considered to be a pedestrian. The bill prohibits a pedestrian from walking along and on a roadway if an adjacent sidewalk is provided and is accessible to the pedestrian. EFFECTIVE DATE June 11, 2001.