HBA-DMD, ALS H.B. 3366 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3366 By: Talton Transportation 9/15/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, federal lighting regulation allows for accessory lights on motor carriers in addition to required taillamps and turn signals. Tow trucks are now equipped with light bars that have red turn signals and stop lights, so that other drivers may be aware of changes in the speed and direction of the tow truck even when the rear of the truck is obscured because it is towing another vehicle. Additionally, these tow lights are currently required to be placed on the vehicle being towed and not on the tow truck. The purpose of this bill is to allow tow trucks be equipped with additional lighting equipment. H.B. 3366 allows a tow truck to be equipped with alternately flashing lighting equipment, in addition to its required mounted light bar. 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 547.305(d), Transportation Code, to authorize a tow truck with a mounted light bar which has turn signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by Sections 547.322 (Taillamps Required), 547.323 (Stoplamps Required), and 547.324 (Turn Signal Lamps Required),Transportation Code, to be equipped with alternately flashing lighting equipment described by Sections 547.701 (Additional Equipment Requirements for School Buses) or 547.702 (Additional Equipment Requirements for Authorized Emergency Vehicles). Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2.Effective date: July 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.