By:  Armbrister                               S.B. No. 605

         97S0366/1                           

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

                                       AN ACT

 1-1     relating to the transportation of portable buildings.

 1-2           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-3           SECTION 1.  Subsection (f), Section 623.099, Transportation

 1-4     Code, is amended to read as follows:

 1-5           (f)  An escort flag vehicle may not be required under this

 1-6     subchapter except as expressly provided by this section.

 1-7           SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 623, Transportation Code,

 1-8     is amended by adding Sections 623.129 and 623.130 to read as

 1-9     follows:

1-10           Sec. 623.129.  ESCORT REQUIREMENTS.  The escort flag vehicle

1-11     requirements set forth in Section 623.099 shall apply to the

1-12     movement of portable building units and cargo pursuant to permits

1-13     issued by the department under this subchapter.

1-14           Sec. 623.130.  COMPATIBLE CARGO.  (a)  A permit issued by the

1-15     department as provided by Section 623.121 may authorize the

1-16     movement of other cargo manufactured, assembled, and distributed by

1-17     the manufacturer to or from any location where the manufacturer's

1-18     portable buildings may be lawfully stored, sold, or delivered.

1-19           (b)  The cargo referred to in Subsection (a) must be

1-20     compatible with the movement of portable building units permitted

1-21     by the department under Section 623.121 in that:

1-22                 (1)  addition of the cargo does not create or cause an

1-23     overheight or overweight load; and

 2-1                 (2)  the cargo is loaded to properly distribute weight,

 2-2     width, and height to maximize safety and economy without exceeding

 2-3     the oversize limits authorized for portable building loads.

 2-4           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

 2-5           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the

 2-6     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-7     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-8     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-9     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.