HBA-BSM H.B. 651 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 651
By: King, Phil
Agriculture & Livestock
7/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

State law prohibits the operator of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) from
driving on a public street, road, or highway except under certain
circumstances.  This restriction limits the effectiveness of these vehicles
for use by farmers and ranchers for work purposes, since such ATV users
often travel short distances on public roadways to move from one property
to another.  House Bill 651 authorizes the operator of an ATV to travel on
a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or
limited-access highway if the transportation is associated with
agricultural work. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 651 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the operator of
an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to drive on a public street, road, or highway
that is not an interstate or limited-access highway if the ATV is properly
flagged, the operator is using the vehicle for agricultural purposes, the
vehicle's headlights and taillights are illuminated, the driver has a
driver's license, the operation of the ATV occurs in the daytime, and the
operation of the ATV does not exceed a distance of 25 miles from the point
of origin to the destination. 

The bill requires the director of the Department of Public Safety to adopt
standards and specifications that apply to the color, size, and mounting
position of the flag that is required to be attached to such an ATV. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.