SRC-AXB S.B. 450 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 450
By: Armbrister
State Affairs
6/22/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, the Transportation Code requires certain markings and legible
information to be displayed on certain commercial motor vehicles.  The law
is intended to require tow truck operators to display the motor carrier
registration number, and the name and address of the owner or operator of
the vehicle. However, the language unintentionally covers all other kinds
of commercial motor vehicles. The enforcement of this law was upheld after
being called into question.  This bill clarifies the required information
to be displayed by certain vehicles.  S.B. 450 also creates offenses for
the failure to display information which complies with the specifications
of 49 C.F.R. Section 390.21, and a specific offense for a tow truck
operator who fails to show legible contact information.   

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 450 clarifies and creates offenses for the failure to
display required markings and information on certain vehicles. 

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 642.002, Transportation Code, to provide that
the owner of a certain vehicle commits an offense by failing to display
identifying markings on the vehicle's power unit which comply with 49
C.F.R. Section 390.  Deletes the requirement to show a vehicle owner's
address. Creates Subsection (b) relating to the offense a tow truck owner
or operator commits by failing to show the city and complete telephone
number of the business in clearly legible letters and numbers on either
side of the power unit.  Makes conforming changes.  

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.