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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1147
By: Seaman
Transportation
8/11/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, a vehicle with an extended load was 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 Section 622.042, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 622.042.  New title:  TIME OF OPERATION; DISPLAY OF FLAG, CLOTH, OR
STROBE LIGHT.  Provides that a red flag or cloth no less than 12 square
inches or a strobe light must be displayed at the rear of the load carried
on a vehicle subject to this subchapter so that the light or the entire
area of the flag or cloth is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching
from the rear. 

SECTION 2.  Amends the section heading to Section 622.052, Transportation
Code, as follows: 

Sec. 622.052.  New title:  TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS.

SECTION 3.  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 4.  Amends the section heading to Section 622.062, Transportation
Code, as follows: 

Sec. 622.062.  New title:  TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 6.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.
  
SECTION 7.Emergency clause.