HBA-LCA, PDH H.B. 1147 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1147
By: Seaman
Transportation
3/27/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a vehicle with an extended load is required to display a red
flag, cloth or strobe light during daylight hours.  There are certain
times, including early morning, early evening, or times of inclement
weather, when a red flag or cloth fails to provide adequate notice to
approaching vehicles. H.B. 1147 mandates that a vehicle with an extended
load display red lights and reflectors in specific locations on the extreme
end of a load. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends the section heading to Section 622.052, Transportation
Code, as follows: 

Sec. 622.052.  New title:  TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
Deletes "Display of Flag or Cloth" from the existing title. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 622.052(b), Transportation Code, to require a
vehicle with an extended load to display red lights and reflectors in
specific locations on the extreme end of a load to make the load visible to
approaching traffic, rather than placing a red flag, or cloth that is
visible to a driver of an approaching vehicle. 

SECTION 3.  Amends the section heading to Section 622.062, Transportation
Code, as follows: 

Sec. 622.062.  New title:  TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.
Deletes "Display of Flag or Cloth" from the existing title. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change. Deletes text requiring that a strobe light, red flag, or
cloth be placed on the rear of the vehicle to make a load visible to
approaching vehicles. 

SECTION 5.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.
  
SECTION 6.Emergency clause.