HBA-ALS H.B. 2920 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2920
By: Pitts
Transportation
4/11/1999
Introduced



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.  Under current Texas law, all
motorcycles operated on Texas roads must have the headlight turned on
during the day as well as at night.  The law exempts motorcycles that were
manufactured in England before 1975 due to the fact that many older British
bikes have unreliable electrical systems.  However, some individuals
believe 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, as follows:

(d)  Prohibits a motorcycle from being operated at any time unless at least
one headlamp on the motorcycle is illuminated.  Provides that this
requirement does not apply to motorcycles manufactured before the model
year 1975, rather than to motorcycles manufactured in England before the
year 1975. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.