TITLE: Relating to the investigation of certain motor vehicle collisions by former peace officers.

SUMMARY: Relating to the investigation of certain motor vehicle collisions by former peace officers.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the investigation of certain motor vehicle collisions by former peace officers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 550.041, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 550.041. INVESTIGATION BY PEACE OFFICER OR DESIGNEE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.SECTION 2. Section 550.041, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) A former peace officer who is designated by a law enforcement agency and who has successfully completed a training program on investigating motor vehicle collisions approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement may investigate a motor vehicle collision, without regard to whether the collision occurred on property to which this chapter applies, if: (1) no offense was committed during the collision; and (2) no injury or death of a person occurred as a result of the collision. SECTION 3. The heading to Section 550.062, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 550.062. OFFICER'S OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY DESIGNEE'S COLLISION REPORT. SECTION 4. Section 550.062, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b), (b-1), and (c) to read as follows: (a-1) A former peace officer who is designated by a law enforcement agency to investigate a motor vehicle collision in accordance with Section 550.041(c) shall make a written report summarizing the findings of the investigation. (b) The report required by Subsection (a) or (a-1) must be filed electronically with the department not later than the 10th day after the date of the collision. (b-1) If the motor vehicle collision involved a combination of vehicles operating under a permit issued under Section 623.402, the report required by Subsection (a) or (a-1) must include the weight and the number of axles of the vehicle combination. (c) This section applies without regard to whether the officer or former peace officer designated by a law enforcement agency, as applicable, investigates the collision at the location of the collision and immediately after the collision or afterwards by interviewing those involved in the collision or witnesses to the collision. SECTION 5. Section 550.068, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 550.068. CHANGING COLLISION REPORT. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a change in or a modification of a written report of a motor vehicle collision prepared by a peace officer or former peace officer designated by a law enforcement agency that alters a material fact in the report may be made only by the peace officer or former peace officer, as applicable, who prepared the report. (b) A change in or a modification of the written report of the collision may be made by a person other than the peace officer or former peace officer, as applicable, who prepared the report if: (1) the change is made by a written supplement to the report; and (2) the written supplement clearly indicates the name of the person who originated the change. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.