HBA-BSM, DMH H.B. 651 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 651 By: King, Phil Agriculture & Livestock 3/5/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law prohibits the operator of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to drive on a public street, road, or highway. This restriction limits the effectiveness of these vehicles for farmers and ranchers to use 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 to drive on a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway if the all-terrain vehicle is properly flagged, and the operator is using the vehicle for agricultural purposes. 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 the all-terrain vehicle operator is required to attach to the back of the vehicle. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.