HBA-DMH H.B. 1739 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1739
By: Martinez Fischer
Transportation
3/8/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents
are a leading cause of death among children in the United States.  1997
traffic statistics for Houston reveal that 61 percent of child passengers
in motor vehicles were not properly restrained by seat belts or child
safety seats.  Increasing the fine for violations relating to improperly
restrained child passengers may decrease the number of child fatalities
involving motor vehicles.  House Bill 1739 increases the penalty for
offenses relating to the improper use of child safety belts and child
passenger safety seats. 

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 1739 amends the Transportation Code to increase from not less
than $25 or more than $50 to not less than $100 or more than $200 the fine
for a misdemeanor relating to child safety belt or child passenger safety
seat system violations involving a child younger than 15 years of age. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.