SRC-HRD H.B. 2138 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2138
By: Hawley (Cain)
International Relations, Trade & Technology
4-28-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Federal law currently provides that commercial motor vehicles may be
equipped with either reflectors or reflective tape, whereas Texas law only
permits the use of reflectors.  It has been determined that reflective
tape offers improved visibility at night.  This bill would require vehicle
lighting, reflective devices and associated equipment to comply with
federal standards either as they currently exist or as they existed at the
time the vehicle was manufactured.                                      
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2138 requires vehicle lighting, reflective devices and
associated equipment to comply with federal standards either as they
currently exist  or as they existed at the time the vehicle was
manufactured.                 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 547E, Transportation Code, by adding Section
547.3215, as follows: 

Sec. 547.3215.  USE OF FEDERAL STANDARD.  Requires lighting, reflective
devices, and associated equipment on a vehicle or motor vehicle, unless
specifically prohibited by this chapter, to comply with the current
federal standards in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.108 or the federal standards in
that section in effect, if any, at the time the vehicle or motor vehicle
was manufactured. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.