AN ACT

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

 1-2     trailers.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 621.206, Transportation Code, is amended

 1-5     by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

 1-6           (c)  Subsection (a) does not apply to vehicles collecting

 1-7     garbage, rubbish, refuse, or recyclable materials which are

 1-8     equipped with front-end loading attachments and containers provided

 1-9     that the vehicle is actively engaged in the collection of garbage,

1-10     rubbish, refuse, or recyclable materials.

1-11           SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 621, Transportation Code,

1-12     is amended by adding Section 621.2061 to read as follows:

1-13           Sec. 621.2061.  EXCEPTION TO MAXIMUM EXTENDED LENGTH OF

1-14     LOAD:  CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.  Notwithstanding Section 621.206, a

1-15     trailer may carry a load that extends more than four feet beyond

1-16     the rear of the trailer if the load consists of a motor vehicle

1-17     that:

1-18                 (1)  is designed and intended to be carried at the rear

1-19     of the trailer;

1-20                 (2)  is used or intended to be used to load or unload a

1-21     commodity on or off the trailer;

1-22                 (3)  does not extend more than seven feet beyond the

1-23     rear of the trailer; and

                                                                S.B. No. 977

 2-1                 (4)  complies with each applicable federal motor

 2-2     carrier safety regulation.

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

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

 2-5     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-6     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-7     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-8     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 977 passed the Senate on

         April 7, 1997, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred

         in House amendment on April 16, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 977 passed the House, with

         amendment, on April 11, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

         Approved:

         _______________________________

                     Date

         _______________________________

                   Governor