HBA-JEK H.B. 996 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 996
By: Coleman
Transportation
6/29/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, law prohibited a parking facility owner or
towing company from removing a vehicle from a public roadway unless such a
removal was directed by a peace officer or the owner or operator of the
vehicle.  Under this arrangement, a vehicle in the street that was
immobilized by a wheel boot could hinder traffic until an officer was
called to authorize the vehicle's removal.  Officers were required to spend
time overseeing the towing of vehicles rather than on other duties.  House
Bill 996 provides municipalities the option to designate a municipal
employee to remove vehicles from public roadways in the municipality. 

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 996 amends the Transportation Code to authorize an employee,
designated by a municipality, to aid in the enforcement of a municipal
ordinance regulating the parking of vehicles by immobilizing a vehicle
parked in the municipality or by removing an immobilized vehicle from a
public roadway in the municipality. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.