SCS/HB 555 - This act exempts persons 21 years of age or older from wearing protective headgear when operating or riding motorcycles or motortricycles if such persons are covered by health insurance policies, personal injury policies, or other insurance policies providing first-party medical benefits in the minimum amount of $50,000. A law enforcement officer shall not arrest or issue a motorcycle helmet violation citation to a person who is at least 21 years of age and presents evidence of health insurance coverage described by the act (Section 302.020). This portion of the act is substantially similar to SB 187 (2013), SB 743 (2012), SB 28 (2011), SB 1067 (2008), SB 252 (2007), SB 635 (2006), SB 12 (2005), SB 744 (2004), SB 226 (2003), SB 646 (2002), SB 18 (2001), SB 610 (2000) and SB 294 (1999). This act allows a person who has been issued a temporary motorcycle instruction permit to renew the permit two additional times for a total maximum period of 18 months (Section 302.132). Under current law, a person can renew the permit an unlimited number of times. This portion of the act is similar to a provision contained in SB 673 (2012)(Section 302.132). This act allows a motorcycle to be equipped with a means of varying the brightness of its brake light for a duration of not more than 5 seconds upon application of the vehicle's brakes (Section 307.075). This provision is also contained in HB 715 (2013). STEPHEN WITTE
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