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.