BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1794
By: Johnson
04-05-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Current law, (Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes [V.T.C.S.], Article
6675a-5p) grants restricted license plates for forestry vehicles,
excluding those carrying logs and debarked logs.  Under the
provisions of International Registration Plan (IRP), a vehicle
displaying a "restricted" license plate (one that has time,
geographic area, mileage, or commodity restrictions) is granted
interstate reciprocity when operating into or through another
state.

This restricted license plate grants interstate operation of
vehicles hauling forestry products under the provisions of IRP, and
eliminates the requirement of purchasing registration trip permits
or apportion license plates.

PURPOSE

To include those vehicles carrying logs and debarked logs in the
definition of forestry vehicles eligible to operate with restricted
"forestry vehicle" license plates.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1: Amends V.T.C.S., Article 6675a-5p, (a)to include in the
definition of "forestry vehicles," those vehicles used to transport
forestry products in their natural state, including logs and
debarked logs.

SECTION 2.  Emergency Clause and Effective Date as upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 16, 1995, at 5:53 p.m.,
the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on
Wednesday, March 22, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. in Room E1.014 of the
Capitol Extension and was called to order at 6:54 p.m. after the
rules were suspended on the House floor to meet in public hearing
after the posted time, by the Chair, Representative Clyde
Alexander.  The Chair laid out H.B. 1794.  There were no witnesses
testifying in support of, or in opposition to H.B. 1794.  The Chair
left H.B. 1794 pending before the Committee.  Pursuant to a public
notice posted on March 30, 1995 at 6:02 p.m., the House Committee
on Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, April 5,
1995 at 2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment, in room E1.014 of the
Capitol Extension and was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the
Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander after the House recessed. 
The Chair laid out H.B. 1794 by Johnson, which was pending before
the Committee.  Representative Bosse moved that the Committee
report H.B. 1794, without amendments, to the full House with the
recommendation that it do pass.  The motion prevailed by the
following vote: Ayes (8), Nayes (0), Absent (1), Present not voting
(0).