HBA-MPM, LCA, PDH H.B. 1147 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1147 By: Seaman Transportation 8/11/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislature, a vehicle with an extended load was required to display a red flag, cloth or strobe light during daylight hours. There are certain times, including early morning, early evening, or times of inclement weather, when a red flag or cloth fails to provide adequate notice to approaching vehicles. H.B. 1147 mandates that a vehicle with an extended load display red lights and reflectors in specific locations on the extreme end of a load. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 622.042, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 622.042. New title: TIME OF OPERATION; DISPLAY OF FLAG, CLOTH, OR STROBE LIGHT. Provides that a red flag or cloth no less than 12 square inches or a strobe light must be displayed at the rear of the load carried on a vehicle subject to this subchapter so that the light or the entire area of the flag or cloth is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear. SECTION 2. Amends the section heading to Section 622.052, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 622.052. New title: TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS. SECTION 3. Amends Section 622.052(b), Transportation Code, to require a vehicle with an extended load to display red lights and reflectors in specific locations on the extreme end of a load to make the load visible to approaching traffic, rather than placing a red flag, or cloth that is visible to a driver of an approaching vehicle. SECTION 4. Amends the section heading to Section 622.062, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 622.062. New title: TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS. SECTION 5. Amends Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 6.Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 7.Emergency clause.