SRC-MAX H.B. 2469 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2469 By: McReynolds (Ratliff) State Affairs 5-12-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, Chapter 621, Transportation Code, provides certain guidelines relating to the maximum load guidelines for vehicles transporting timber or timber products. These provisions also provide specific guidelines relating to the gross weight on certain vehicles or vehicle groups. There are concerns that these provisions allow for little flexibility within the timber industry. This bill provides exceptions to certain physical dimensions the vehicles are required to conform to under Chapters 621 and 623, Transportation Code. This bill prohibits timber trucks from crossing certain load limit bridges and adds a provision requiring a strobe light to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle under certain conditions. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2469 sets forth provisions regarding the operation of vehicles transporting timber or timber products and to the operation of vehicles transporting poles or pipe. 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 622D, Transportation Code, by adding Section 622.0435, as follows: Sec. 622.0435. VEHICLES TRANSPORTING RAW WOOD PRODUCTS. Requires the physical dimensions of a vehicle or combination of vehicles subject to this chapter to conform to Chapter 621 and 623, except in certain circumstances. Provides that Subsection (a) does not authorize the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles subject to this subchapter that is transporting raw wood products on a bridge with a load limitation at a weight that exceeds that limitation. SECTION 2. Amends Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, to require a strobe light or red flag or cloth to be displayed at the rear of the load carried on the vehicle so that the light or the entire area of the flag or cloth is visible to a driver approaching from the rear. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.