By Hawley H.B. No. 2138
75R6218 DRH-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the use of reflective tape on certain vehicles.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 547.325(a), Transportation Code, is
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 (a) Except as provided by Subchapter F, a motor vehicle,
1-7 trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall be equipped with
1-8 reflective tape that complies with the federal standard in 49
1-9 C.F.R. Section 571.108, S5.7, or at least two red reflectors on the
1-10 rear of the vehicle. A red reflector may be included as a part
1-11 of a taillamp.
1-12 SECTION 2. Section 547.352, Transportation Code, is amended
1-13 to read as follows:
1-14 Sec. 547.352. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.
1-15 In addition to other equipment required by this chapter:
1-16 (1) a bus, truck, trailer, or semitrailer that is at
1-17 least 80 inches wide shall be equipped with:
1-18 (A) two clearance lamps on the front, one at
1-19 each side;
1-20 (B) two clearance lamps on the rear, one at each
1-21 side;
1-22 (C) four side marker lamps, one on each side at
1-23 or near the front and one on each side at or near the rear;
1-24 (D) four reflectors, one on each side at or near
2-1 the front and one on each side at or near the rear or reflective
2-2 tape that complies with the federal standard in 49 C.F.R. Section
2-3 571.108, S5.7; and
2-4 (E) hazard lamps that meet the requirements of
2-5 Section 547.331;
2-6 (2) a bus or truck that is at least 30 feet long shall
2-7 be equipped with hazard lamps that meet the requirements of Section
2-8 547.331;
2-9 (3) a trailer or semitrailer that is at least 30 feet
2-10 long shall be equipped with:
2-11 (A) two side marker lamps, one centrally mounted
2-12 on each side with respect to the length of the vehicle;
2-13 (B) two reflectors, one centrally mounted on
2-14 each side with respect to the length of the vehicle, or reflective
2-15 tape that complies with the federal standard in 49 C.F.R. Section
2-16 571.108, S5.7; and
2-17 (C) hazard lamps that meet the requirements of
2-18 Section 547.331;
2-19 (4) a pole trailer shall be equipped with:
2-20 (A) two side marker lamps, one at each side at
2-21 or near the front of the load;
2-22 (B) one reflector at or near the front of the
2-23 load;
2-24 (C) one combination marker lamp that:
2-25 (i) emits an amber light to the front and
2-26 a red light to the rear and side; and
2-27 (ii) is mounted on the rearmost support
3-1 for the load to indicate the maximum width of the trailer; and
3-2 (D) hazard lamps that meet the requirements of
3-3 Section 547.331, if the pole trailer is at least 30 feet long or at
3-4 least 80 inches wide;
3-5 (5) a truck-tractor shall be equipped with:
3-6 (A) two clearance lamps, one at each side on the
3-7 front of the cab; and
3-8 (B) hazard lamps that meet the requirements of
3-9 Section 547.331, if the truck-tractor is at least 30 feet long or
3-10 at least 80 inches wide; and
3-11 (6) a vehicle at least 80 inches wide may be equipped
3-12 with:
3-13 (A) not more than three front identification
3-14 lamps without glare; and
3-15 (B) not more than three rear identification
3-16 lamps without glare.
3-17 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
3-18 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
3-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.