John J. Carona
District 16
Dallas
Caronas Email
Another attempt at eroding YOUR rights in this great State of Texas. Make sure you let Mr. Carona, as well as your appropriate district representatives know how you feel about his proposed helmet amendment! I "try" not to be a militant bitch .. but I Sec. 661.004's new paragraph addition is specifically aimed at harassment.
Write 'em, you'll be glad you did. If you dont know who your representatives are go
Here here and enter your address.
By: Carona
S.B. No. 1368
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
relating to the protective headgear requirements for motorcycle operators and passengers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 661.003(c) and (h), Transportation Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a) or (b) that at the time the offense was committed, the person required to wear protective headgear was at least 21 years old, [and] had successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course under Chapter 662, and [or] was covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with at least
$150,000 [$10,000] in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding on a motorcycle. A peace officer may not arrest a person or issue a citation to a person for a violation of Subsection (a) or (b) if the person required to wear protective headgear is at least 21 years of age, [and] presents evidence sufficient to show that the person required to wear protective headgear has successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course, and [or] is covered by a health insurance plan as described by this subsection.
(h) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than
$500 [$10] or more than
$1,500 [$50].
SECTION 2. Section 661.004, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 661.004. AUTHORITY OF PEACE OFFICER TO INSPECT PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR. Any peace officer may stop and detain:
(1) a person who is a motorcycle operator or passenger to inspect the person's protective headgear for compliance with the safety standards prescribed by the department;
or
(2) a person who is a motorcycle operator or passenger who is not wearing protective headgear to inspect for sufficient evidence of compliance with Section 661.003(c).
SECTION 3. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurs before this date.
(b) An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect June 1, 2008.