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).