SRC-JXG S.B. 844 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 844
76R4469 DRH-DBy: Carona
Intergovernmental Relations
3/22/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law allows cities with a population in excess of 100,000
to enforce weight standards on motor vehicles inside city limits. However,
there are numerous cities with populations less than 100,000, which have
high volumes of motor vehicles on the roadways. The Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) is unable to effectively provide enforcement for these
areas. S.B. 844 would authorize cities with populations of 50,000 or more
to enforce weight and safety standards for motor vehicles inside city
limits. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 844 authorizes cities with a population of 50,000 or more
to enforce weight standards on motor vehicles in the city limits. 

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 621.401, Transportation Code, to redefine "weight
enforcement officer." Deletes text regarding Section 6, Article 6675d,
Revised Statutes.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 621.408, Transportation Code, to provide that
except for the authority granted to a port-of-entry supervisor or inspector
by Section 621.409, weight enforcement officers have exclusive authority to
enforce this subchapter in any area of this state other than in the
territory of a municipality with a population of more than 50,000, rather
than 100,000. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.