H.B. No. 2616         AN ACT   relating to the operation of and lighting equipment for medical   examiner vehicles and vehicles operated by justices of the peace in   certain circumstances.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 545.156, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 545.156.  VEHICLE APPROACHED BY AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY   VEHICLE. (a) This section applies only to:                (1)  [On the immediate approach of] an authorized   emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the   requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702;                (2)  a medical examiner vehicle, as defined by Section   547.751, lawfully using a visual signal in accordance with that   section;                 (3)  a vehicle operated by a justice of the peace for a   purpose described by Section 547.752 and lawfully using a visual   signal in accordance with that section; and                (4)  [, or of] a police vehicle lawfully using only an   audible or visual signal.          (a-1)  On the immediate approach of a vehicle described by   Subsection (a), an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police   officer, shall:                (1)  yield the right-of-way;                (2)  immediately drive to a position parallel to and as   close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway   clear of any intersection; and                (3)  stop and remain standing until the authorized   emergency vehicle has passed.          (b)  This section does not exempt the operator of a [an   authorized emergency] vehicle described by Subsection (a) from the   duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using   the highway.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 547, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter L-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER L-1. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR   MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES AND VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE   PEACE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES          Sec. 547.751.  ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR   MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "medical examiner   vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a   governmental entity for use by a medical examiner or an employee of   an office of a medical examiner in the performance of the examiner's   or employee's duties relating to an inquest conducted under   Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.          (b)  A medical examiner vehicle may be equipped with either:                (1)  mounted signal lamps that comply with the   requirements of Section 547.702(c); or                (2)  a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the   vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance   of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.          (c)  The operator of a medical examiner vehicle may use the   lighting equipment described by Subsection (b) only when:                (1)  necessary to warn other vehicle operators or   pedestrians of the approach of the medical examiner vehicle; and                (2)  operating the vehicle in the course and scope of   the operator's duties relating to an inquest conducted under   Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.          Sec. 547.752.  ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR   VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN CERTAIN   CIRCUMSTANCES. (a) A vehicle operated by a justice of the peace in   the course and scope of the justice's duties as a coroner under   Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, may be   equipped with either:                (1)  mounted signal lamps that comply with the   requirements of Section 547.702(c); or                (2)  a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the   vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance   of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.          (b)  A justice of the peace may use the lighting equipment   described by Subsection (a) only when:                (1)  necessary to warn other vehicle operators or   pedestrians of the approach of a vehicle operated by a justice of   the peace; and                (2)  operating the vehicle in the course and scope of   the justice's duties relating to an inquest conducted under   Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the House on May 5,   2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 2, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the Senate on May   21, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor