Relating to the applicability of certain pedestrian laws to certain sidewalk users.
SB 2039 amends Texas traffic laws to require drivers to yield to sidewalk users - such as people operating bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or mobility devices - under the same right-of-way rules as pedestrians. The bill defines "sidewalk user" to include these devices and updates traffic code sections so drivers must stop for them in crosswalks and intersections at traffic signals. This affects all drivers navigating intersections and sidewalk users operating these devices across Texas. The law took effect on September 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Mar 7, 2025
Signed May 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
May 16, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Texas Transportation Code to clarify how pedestrian laws apply to sidewalk users, including bicycles, motor-assisted scooters, electric personal assistive mobility devices, skateboards, and roller skates. The changes update definitions and right-of-way rules to ensure these sidewalk users have consistent protections and responsibilities when crossing streets or using crosswalks.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of 'sidewalk user' to explicitly include motor-assisted scooters and electric personal assistive mobility devices, ensuring they are treated similarly to pedestrians and bicycles under existing traffic laws.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of 'sidewalk user' in Section 541.001 to explicitly list motor-assisted scooters and electric personal assistive mobility devices alongside bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates.
REQUIREMENT
Amended right-of-way rules in Sections 544.007 and 552.001-552.002 to ensure sidewalk users lawfully in intersections or crosswalks are protected when vehicles face green signals or stop signs.
Added new Sections 552.0035 and 552.0036 to establish specific right-of-way rules for sidewalk users at crosswalks and stop signs, including speed limits for approaching vehicles.
TIMELINE
Set the effective date of the Act to September 1, 2025, with provisions applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.
Floor votes · House May 14, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
45
Key actions
12
Committee
8
May 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage reported
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 14, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (122-12-10)
house
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dennis Paul
RRepublican
P
KH
Kelly Hancock
RRepublican
Co
Sarah Eckhardt
DDemocratic
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