HBA-CMT H.B. 2230 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2230
By: McReynolds
Public Safety
7/19/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, there was a conflict in the Transportation
Code between Chapter 550 and the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act
(MVSRA), that related to accident reports filed with the Department of
Public Safety (DPS).  Under Chapter 550, a peace officer who was notified
of a motor vehicle accident with damages to an apparent extent of at least
$500 was authorized to investigate the accident and file justifiable
charges relating to the accident. This resulted in a large amount of
paperwork that was submitted to DPS that was not needed because the MVSRA
restricts enforcement action to be taken by DPS unless the damage amount is
$1,000 or more.  House Bill 2230 increases the amount needed to investigate
to $1,000.  

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 2230 amends the Transportation Code to increase the minimum
amount of apparent damage resulting from a motor vehicle accident from $500
to $1,000 needed to allow a peace officer 
to investigate and file justifiable charges relating to the accident.  The
bill increases from $500 to $1,000 the minimum amount of apparent damage
resulting from a motor vehicle accident for which the vehicle's operator is
required to report the accident to the Department of Public Safety no later
than 10 days after the accident.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.