88R26007 AJZ-D     By: Anchía, Guillen, Frazier, et al. H.B. No. 2564       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the investigation of certain motor vehicle accidents.          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 EMPLOYEE OF   LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.          SECTION 2.  Section 550.041, Transportation Code, is amended   by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as   follows:          (a)  A peace officer who is notified of a motor vehicle   accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or property   damage to an apparent extent of at least $5,000 [$1,000] may   investigate the accident and file justifiable charges relating to   the accident without regard to whether the accident occurred on   property to which this chapter applies.          (c)  An employee of a law enforcement agency who is not a   peace officer and who has successfully completed a training program   on investigating motor vehicle accidents that satisfies the   applicable requirements of Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, may   investigate a motor vehicle accident, without regard to whether the   accident occurred on property to which this chapter applies, if:                (1)  no offense was committed during the accident other   than a misdemeanor punishable by fine only;                (2)  no injury or death of a person occurred as a result   of the accident; and                (3)  any property damage that resulted from the   accident was to an apparent extent of less than $5,000.          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   EMPLOYEE'S ACCIDENT REPORT.          SECTION 4.  Section 550.062, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 550.062.  OFFICER'S ACCIDENT REPORT. (a) A law   enforcement officer who in the regular course of duty investigates   a motor vehicle accident shall make a written report of the accident   if the accident resulted in injury to or the death of a person or   damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of   $5,000 [$1,000] or more.          (a-1)  An employee of a law enforcement agency who is not a   peace officer and who investigates a motor vehicle accident 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 accident.          (b-1)  If the motor vehicle accident 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 law enforcement agency employee, as applicable,   investigates the accident at the location of the accident and   immediately after the accident or afterwards by interviewing those   involved in the accident or witnesses to the accident.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.