SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 518 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 518
By: Cain
Natural Resources
4/1/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law allows certain farm trailers to qualify for a reduced
registration fee. Current statute specifies that any trailer which is
registered under this reduced fee may be used only by the owner of the
trailer, to transport items related to the owner's farm or ranch operation.
Many farmers and ranchers unknowingly break the law by borrowing a friend's
farm trailer. C.S.S.B. 518 would remove requirements that only the owner of
a farm-registered trailer may use the trailer. 
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 518 regulates the registration of certain farm
vehicles and trailers. 

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 502.276(c), Transportation Code, to authorize a
vehicle that has a distinguishing license plate issued under Subsection (b)
to be operated temporarily on the highways if the vehicle meets a certain
criteria. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends Section 502.276(c), Transportation Code, to set forth regulations
regarding the temporary operation of certain vehicles on a highways.
Deletes proposed Subsection (c)(2) regarding the temporary operation on a
highway of a farm trailer or farm semitrailer transporting certain
products.  
 
 Deletes proposed SECTION 1 regarding registration fees for certain
vehicles.