By Rodriguez, Hernandez                               H.B. No. 1342

         Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1342:

         By Alexander                                      C.S.H.B. No. 1342

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

 1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to the maximum extended length of certain loads carried on

 1-3     trailers.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 621, Transportation Code,

 1-6     is amended by adding Section 621.2061 to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 621.2061.  EXCEPTION TO MAXIMUM EXTENDED LENGTH OF LOAD:

 1-8     CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.  Notwithstanding Section 621.206, a trailer

 1-9     may carry a load that extends more than four feet beyond the rear

1-10     of the trailer if the load consists of a motor vehicle that:

1-11                 (1)  is designed and intended to be carried at the rear

1-12     of the trailer;

1-13                 (2)  is used or intended to be used to load or unload a

1-14     commodity on or off the trailer;

1-15                 (3)  does not extend more than seven feet beyond the

1-16     rear of the trailer; and

1-17                 (4)  complies with each applicable federal motor

1-18     carrier safety regulation.

1-19           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

1-20           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-21     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-22     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-23     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-24     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.