By Farrar H.B. No. 422 75R639 DRH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the regulation by the Texas Department of 1-3 Transportation of fences along a road or highway in the state 1-4 highway system in certain municipalities. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 6, Transportation Code, is 1-7 amended by adding Chapter 250 to read as follows: 1-8 CHAPTER 250. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 1-9 Sec. 250.001. RESTRICTION ON FENCES IN CERTAIN 1-10 MUNICIPALITIES. (a) This section applies only to a fence located 1-11 on land adjacent to a road or highway in the state highway system 1-12 in a municipality with a population of 1.5 million or more. 1-13 (b) The department may regulate the use of a fence near a 1-14 road or highway that prevents or obstructs a vehicle from observing 1-15 other vehicles or traffic in a manner that creates a safety hazard. 1-16 (c) The rules may provide for: 1-17 (1) setback, height, or visibility requirements for 1-18 fences; 1-19 (2) compensation for owners of existing fences that do 1-20 not comply with current standards; 1-21 (3) delayed enforcement of or exemption from the 1-22 regulations for existing fences that do not comply with current 1-23 standards; and 1-24 (4) any other provision necessary to prevent an unsafe 2-1 obstruction to the view of traffic on a road or highway. 2-2 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-5 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-6 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-7 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-8 passage, and it is so enacted.