House of Transportation met on April 6 to consider a number of bills. This report covers HCR 65 (Stucky) and HB 2081 (Reynolds). A video of the hearing can be found here.

 

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

HB 2081 (Reynolds) Relating to motor vehicle accidents involving a pedestrian or other vulnerable road user within the area of a crosswalk; creating a criminal offense

  • Reynolds – Attempts to lay out CS, but is only allowed to lay out the bill as filed
  • Pedestrians are almost twice as likely to be killed by a stranger with a car than a stranger with a gun
  • Gives statistics on how an increase of pedestrian deaths is happening over time and have shot up drastically from a decade ago, especially in Houston
  • Bill would create a criminal offense for person who causes bodily injury with a motor vehicle within the area of a crosswalk
  • Would add a Class B misdemeanor or state jail felony if a person caused serious bodily injury; would put some “teeth” in the law
  • Would be a deterrent for people who are driving near and around crosswalks; if bill is passed and implemented, it will provide accountability

 

Brian Middleton, Fort Bend County Attorney – For

  • When his case was presented to a grand jury, they received a “no bill”
    • Was personally troubled by this
  • In 2018 America had 6,200 deaths within the area of crosswalks
  • This law will close the gap with criminal negligence and provide accountability

 

Allison Bridge, Fort Bend County Prosecutor – For

  • This crime has gone unnoticed by our statute so far; in 2019, 1 in 5 fatalities were pedestrians killed by motor vehicles and there has been no justice for victims
  • Bill would make it a Class B misdemeanor for any kind of bodily injury, state jail felony for someone who is seriously injured, or another reckless/serious injury (broken bones)
  • Criminally negligent homicide, increasingly reckless would be classified as manslaughter which is already a second-degree felony

 

Eric Fagan, Sheriff of Fort Bend County – For

  • Is here to give support on the passing of the Lisa Torre Smith Act
  • Tells the story of Lisa Torre Smith and her son’s incident; speeding vehicle in a school zone struck her and her son
  • There is no real consequences for negligence in a school zone even at the death and serious injury of others
  • If this bill is passed, there will be a step towards justice and will prevent this from ever happening again

 

Terry Hall, Texans for Tollfree Highways and Texas Turf – Neutral

  • Concerned about if a true accident occurs (not negligence) and a jailable offense for $4,000
  • Concerned with individuals being prosecuted under multiple statutes

 

Robin Stallings, BikeTexas – For

  • There has been an absence in the statute about the rights of someone to ride a bicycle at a crosswalk when crossing the road, feels like this bill fills the gap

 

Gina Torre, Self – For

  • Recollects the happenings of her sister, Lisa Torre, and her son
  • Explains the entire video of the incident was recorded from a house nearby and how negligent the woman was when she hit Lisa

 

Edmund Smith, Self – For

  • Recollects the happenings of his daughter Lisa Torre and her son; driver could only be charged with failure to yield and subject to a fine/points against their license
  • The previous district attorney said there is no apparent remedy for this because Texans love their cars and guns
  • Thanks Middleton for this bill

 

Elliot Smith, Self – For

  • Recollects the happenings of family members who were victims of a pedestrian accident
  • Issue needs justice since the perpetrator did not go to jail

HB 2081 left pending

 

HCR 65 (Stucky) – Encouraging the Texas Department of Transportation to develop and support signature trail and active transportation network projects

  • Stucky – Total economic spending created by rail trails in Texas alone have created $180-$200 million in revenue
  • Net health savings by Texans who use active transportation, $1.8-$4.1 billion
  • Trail use is now sustained at 37% higher than in previous years
  • Resolution encourages the Texas Transportation Commission to fund network focused projects using existing federal funds dedicated to bicycle network and/or multi use trail projects in Texas, not a mandate
  • Resolution encourages TXDOT to fund network projects that connect people to their communities and key amenities like work, school, shopping
  • Under this resolution, federal funding for these projects may range up to $80 million, commission may provide 75% of the 20% local match required by federal law for such projects

 

Terry Hall, Texans for Tollfree Highways and Texas Turf – Against

  • Thinks this resolution opens up a “can of worms,” have seen abuse of road funds in the past
  • The more funds are diverted and encouraged to be used elsewhere is why projects do not get done

 

Mark Steyn, Texans for State Parks – For

  • Believes that connections by hike/bike trails with the rest of Texas will provide expanded opportunities for state parks and historic sights
  • Lists that the three imperatives in the state parks centennial plan for 2023 are to:
  • Increase opportunities for recreation and education
  • Pursue partnerships with nonprofits in the private sector
  • Enhance management of natural and cultural resources
  • Trail connections that may come as a result of this resolution can enhance state parks and a wide variety of area communities and help achieve the listed imperatives

 

Robin Stallings, BikeTexas – For

  • Says there is a tremendous benefit for Texas having a network of trails
  • Economic benefits in bicycle tourism, local health benefits while biking and using these networks
  • Explains TXDOT completely funding one signature project will make a bigger difference than small sums allocated to several different ones
  • Rural communities frequently do not have enough of the match, so this resolution would encourage TXDOT to identify that match and do signature projects that will make a bigger difference

HCR 65 left pending