By:  Madla                                             S.B. No. 977

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

                                       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.  Subchapter C, Chapter 621, Transportation Code,

 1-5     is amended by adding Section 621.2061 to read as follows:

 1-6           Sec. 621.2061.  EXCEPTION TO MAXIMUM EXTENDED LENGTH OF

 1-7     LOAD:  CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.  Notwithstanding Section 621.206, a

 1-8     trailer may carry a load that extends more than four feet beyond

 1-9     the rear of the trailer if the load consists of a motor vehicle

1-10     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

 2-1     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.