HBA-AMW H.B. 487 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 487
By: Hope
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Each year, several Texans are injured in or die from alcohol-related
accidents involving watercraft. Currently, the penalties for boating while
intoxicated are not as strict as those for driving while intoxicated. House
Bill 487 increases the penalties for operating a watercraft while
intoxicated and modifies provisions regarding the collection of a blood or
breath sample from a person suspected of operating a watercraft while
intoxicated. 

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 487 amends the Transportation Code to increase the penalties for
operating a watercraft while intoxicated.  The bill amends provisions
relating to the suspension of a driver's license to include boating while
intoxicated or operating a watercraft while intoxicated.  In situations in
which a license is automatically suspended on final conviction of the
license holder for an offense involving intoxication assault, the bill
removes the stipulation that the license be automatically suspended only if
the person used a motor vehicle in the commission of the offense.  The bill
also amends provisions relating to the procedures for the suspension of a
license when a person refuses to submit to the taking of a specimen to
include a person who commits an offense involving the operation of a
watercraft while intoxicated. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.