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.