BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 3208
                                              By: Brimer (Harris)
                                                    State Affairs
                                                          5-25-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Current law does not adequately define which vehicles are required
to use safety chains.  The 73rd Legislature passed H.B. 167 to fix
an irregularity, which made Texas one of 18 states that does not
have some type of law regulating the use of safety chains on
vehicles.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3208 requires safety chains for certain vehicles
towing a trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer on a public
highway.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 106A(b)-(f), Article 6701d, V.T.C.S.
(Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), as follows:

     (b)  Prohibits a person from operating a passenger car or
     light truck while towing a semitrailer or other house trailer
     on a public highway unless Texas Department of Transportation
     approved-safety chains are attached from the trailer, semi-trailer, or house trailer to the towing vehicle.
     
     (c) - (f)  Make conforming changes.
     
     SECTION 2.     Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.