SRC-ARR C.S.H.B. 1147 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1147 76R13212 WP-DBy: Seaman (Armbrister) State Affairs 5/9/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, Texas law requires a red flag not less than 12 inches square to be placed at the end of electric poles and pipes that are being transported by truck. These flags are at times not visible and have caused accidents. C.S.H.B.1147 would require reflectors and lamps to be placed on certain vehicles with extended loads. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1147 requires lighting to be placed on certain vehicles with extended loads. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 622.042, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 622.042. New heading: TIME OF OPERATION; DISPLAY OF FLAG, CLOTH, OR STROBE LIGHT. Requires a red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square or a strobe light to be displayed at the rear of the load carried on the vehicle 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 section heading to Section 622.052, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 622.052. New heading: TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS. SECTION 2. Amends Section 622.052(b), Transportation Code, to require a vehicle to which this subchapter applies to display on the extreme end of the load certain red reflectors and lamps. Deletes text regarding a red flag. SECTION 3. Amends the section heading to Section 622.062, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 622.062. New heading: TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS. SECTION 4. Amends Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 6. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 622.042, Transportation Code, to provide a new heading. Requires a red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square or a strobe light to be displayed at the rear of the load carried on the vehicle 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.