HBA-CMT, CCH S.B. 113 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 113
By: Moncrief
Transportation
4/27/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires children who are at least 4 years of age but younger
than 15 years of age to wear a safety belt while riding in a car or light
truck.  Senate Bill 113 increases the age limit to require children younger
than 17 years of age to wear a safety belt while riding in a passenger
vehicle, and provides an exemption for certain farm vehicles.    

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

Senate Bill 113 amends the Transportation Code to provide that a person
operating a passenger vehicle commits an offense if the person allows a
child who is at least 4 years of age but younger than 17 years of age to
ride in the vehicle without wearing a safety belt.  The bill provides that
it is a defense to prosecution for such an offense if the person is
operating a commercially registered farm vehicle that has a gross weight or
registered weight of less than 48,000 pounds.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 modifies the bill to provide that a person
commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle and
transports a child that is younger than four years of age or less than 40
pounds in weight rather than two years of age and does not keep the child
secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety
seat system.  The bill deletes the provision that a person commits an
offense if the person transports a child that is older than two but younger
than four years of age and does not keep the child secured in a child
passenger safety seat system or by a seat belt during the operation of the
vehicle.