Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 1815	Senate Author:  Seliger
Effective:  9-1-21	House Sponsor:  Martinez

            Senate Bill 1815 amends the Transportation Code to revise provisions relating to vehicle size and weight limitations. Among other provisions, the bill does the following:

·        authorizes certain automobile transporters to transport cargo or general freight on a backhaul or to carry certain loads;

·        exempts a towaway trailer transporter combination from certain maximum length limitations if the overall length of the combination is not longer than 82 feet;

·        revises provisions relating to the exemption for fire department vehicles from maximum weight limitations and makes the exemption applicable to any emergency vehicle designed to be used under emergency conditions for personnel and equipment transport;

·        raises the cap on certain weight limits for any vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with an idle reduction system; and

·        clarifies the applicability of the authority of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a permit to move certain superheavy or oversize equipment on a state highway.