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


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 651
By: King, Phil
Agriculture & Livestock
3/14/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law prohibits the operator of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) from
driving 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.  C.S.H.B. 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

C.S.H.B. 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, and
the driver has a driver's license.  

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.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 651 differs from the original by adding the provision that an ATV
driver hold a driver's license if the vehicle is to be used on a public
street, road, or highway under these provisions.