TWT S.B. 605 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS TRANSPORTATION S.B. 605 By: Armbrister (Pitts) 5-9-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the Transportation Code regulates the use of escort flag vehicles for the movement of industrialized buildings and portable buildings. A discrepancy exists between the escort flag requirements applicable to each set of buildings. Although manufactured and regulated under different laws, these buildings are both pre-fabricated and modular in design and share similar size and structural characteristics. Some portable building manufacturers now construct and distribute other products similar in size and weight to the portable buildings. This bill would require the escort flag vehicle requirements set forth in Section 623.099, Transportation Code, to apply to the movement of portable buildings and cargo. Additionally, this bill would authorize a permit for the transportation of such vehicles to apply to the movement of compatible cargo. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 605 sets forth the requirements of escort flag vehicles in regard to the movement of portable building units and authorizes a permit that applies to such units to additionally apply to the movement of compatible cargo. 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 Section 623.099(f), Transportation Code, to provide that an escort flag vehicle may not be required under this subchapter, except as expressly provided by this section. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 623F, Transportation Code, by adding Sections 623.129 and 623.130, as follows: Sec. 623.129. ESCORT FLAG VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS. Provides that the escort flag vehicle requirements provided by Section 623.099 apply to the movement of portable building units and compatible cargo under this subchapter as if such building units and cargo were a manufactured house. Sec. 623.130. COMPATIBLE CARGO. (a) Authorizes a permit issued under this subchapter to authorize the movement of cargo, other than a portable building unit, manufactured, assembled, or distributed, as an authorized distributer, by a portable building unit manufacturer under certain conditions. (b) Requires the Department of Transportation, if cargo moved under this section exceeds any width limit that would apply to the cargo if it were moved in a manner not governed by this section, to collect an amount equal to any fee that would apply to movement of the cargo if the cargo were moved in a manner not governed by this section in addition to the fee required under this subchapter. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.