HBA-EVB S.B. 844 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 844
By: Carona
Transportation
4/24/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law allows cities with a population in excess of 100,000
to enforce weight standards on motor vehicles inside city limits. However,
there are numerous cities with populations less than 100,000, which have
high volumes of motor vehicles on the roadways. The Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) is unable to effectively provide enforcement for these
areas. S.B. 844 authorizes cities with populations of 50,000 or more to
enforce weight and safety standards for motor vehicles inside city limits. 

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 621.401, Transportation Code, to redefine "weight
enforcement officer" to include a municipal police officer in a
municipality with a population of 50,000, rather than 100,000, or more; or
a police officer certified under Section 644.101 (Certification of
Municipal Police Officers), Transportation Code, rather than Section 6,
Article 6675d, V.T.C.S. (Repealed). 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 621.408, Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.