TWT S.B. 977 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
S.B. 977
By: Madla (Rodriguez)
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently under Section 621.206 (a), Transportation Code,  a vehicle or
combination of vehicles may not carry a load that extends more than three
feet beyond its front or more than four feet beyond its rear. Several
companies in Texas use a system called a piggyback material handler, a
very common forklift that is attached to the rear of a semi-trailer for
the use of loading and unloading  materials from a trailer.  Under the
current statue, these companies are in violation of Section 621.206 (a)
because the forklift extends further than the current law allows.  Some
believe the safest method of transporting the forklift is by attaching it
to the end of the trailer. The fact remains that doing so is a violation
of the law. Enforcement of the law from district to district is not
equally rendered.  

PURPOSE

C.S.S.B. 977 would allow a trailer to carry a load that extends more than
four feet beyond the rear end of the trailer if the load: is designed to
be carried at the end of a trailer, is used to load or unload commodities,
extends no further than seven feet from the end of the trailer; and
complies with applicable federal motor carrier regulations. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 621, Transportation Code, by
adding Section 621.2061 which allow a trailer to carry a load that extends
more than four feet beyond the rear end of the trailer if the load
consists of a motor vehicle that: 

 (1) is designed to be carried at the end of a trailer;
 (2) is used or intended to be used to load or unload commodities;
 (3) extends no further than seven feet from the end of the trailer; and 
 (4) complies with applicable federal motor carrier regulations.

SECTION 2. Effective date -- September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.