Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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77 th Texas Legislature
Establishes the Safe Routes to School Program to distribute money received under the federal Hazard
Elimination Program to political subdivision for projects to improve safety in and around school areas.
Requires the DPS to publish statistical information derived from accident reports regarding the number of
accidents involving injury to, death of, or property damage to a bicyclist or pedestrian.
Exempts owners of electric bicycles from registering the bicycle as a motor vehicle. Prohibits DPS and a
local authority from prohibiting the use of an electric bicycle on a highway used primarily by motor vehicles.
Allows the authorities to prohibit the use of electric bicycles on a highway used primarily by pedestrians.
Allows bicycles to travel in a lane of traffic, even if the bicycle is moving at a slower pace than the traffic,
under certain conditions including that the person operating the bicycle is in an outside lane that is less
than 14 feel wide and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane or too narrow for a
bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel side by side.
Motorcycle Safety - H.B. 2585
by Representative Chavez, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
Prohibits a peace officer from arresting or issuing a citation to a person for not wearing standard protective
headgear while riding a motorcycle, if the person is at least 21 and presents sufficient evidence that the
person has successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course or is insured for
$10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding on a
motorcycle.
Sets forth provisions relating to reports about the Motorcycle Education Fund Account and motorcycle
operator training and safety programs.
All College Students Subject to Car Registration & Inspection Laws - H.B. 2787
by Representative Geren
Senate Sponsor: Senator Brown
Bars a public institution of higher education on a campus that is located in whole or part in an area in which
motor vehicles registered in the area are required to undergo a vehicle emissions inspection from issuing a
permit to a student to park or drive a motor vehicle that is not registered in this state on institutional
property unless the institution has provided written notice to the student concerning state requirements for
vehicle emissions inspections.
Bars other public institutions of higher education from issuing a permit to a student for driving or parking a
motor vehicle on institutional property unless the institution provides written notice to the student that failure
to register the vehicle in this state or to display a current and appropriate inspection certificate may violate
state law if the owner of the vehicle resides in this state.
Senate Research Center 311