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.