TITLE: Relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child is riding; providing a penalty.

SUMMARY: Relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child is riding; providing a penalty.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child is riding; providing a penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 545.4145 to read as follows: Sec. 545.4145. RIDING IN OR ON BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT DRAWN BY VEHICLE; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle. (b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was: (1) operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an emergency; or (2) operating the motor vehicle on a beach. (c) In this section, "boat" and "personal watercraft" have the meanings assigned by Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.