✅Relating to the criminal offense of passing certain vehicles on a highway.

✅ SB 305: Expands “Move Over” law to protect animal control and parking enforcement workers

What it says it does:
SB 305 updates Texas’s “Move Over, Slow Down” law to include animal control vehicles and local parking enforcement vehicles. Drivers must slow down or move over when they see these vehicles stopped with flashing lights.

What it actually changes:
The law adds two new categories of roadside workers who now receive the same legal protection as police, firefighters, TxDOT crews, and tow operators. It does not create new penalties or fiscal costs.

Who is pushing for it:
Support came from police unions, Vision Zero Texas, and several cities including Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. The bill was authored by Sen. Charles Perry (R-SD28).

Who benefits:
Animal control officers, carcass removal crews, and parking enforcement staff who face daily roadside risks. Cities and counties employing them also benefit from improved safety standards.

Why this matters long term:
Expanding this protection reduces preventable deaths and signals that local government workers deserve the same respect as first responders. It’s a small but important cultural shift toward equal safety for public employees on Texas roads.

What to watch next:
Whether law enforcement will actively enforce the new protections and whether public awareness campaigns will make drivers understand the change.

Bottom line:
SB 305 is a straightforward safety upgrade with no hidden costs or political carveouts. It protects public servants doing dangerous work and keeps Texas roads safer for everyone.

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