1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the use of towing safety chains.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Sections 545.410(a), (b), and (d), Transportation
1-5 Code, are amended to read as follows:
1-6 (a) An operator of a passenger car or light truck may not
1-7 draw a trailer, semitrailer, [or] house trailer, or another motor
1-8 vehicle unless safety chains of a type approved by the department
1-9 are attached in a manner approved by the department from the
1-10 trailer, semitrailer, [or] house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle
1-11 to the drawing vehicle. This subsection does not apply to the
1-12 drawing of a trailer or semitrailer used for agricultural
1-13 purposes.
1-14 (b) The department shall adopt rules prescribing the type of
1-15 safety chains required to be used according to the weight of the
1-16 trailer, semitrailer, [or] house trailer, or motor vehicle being
1-17 drawn. The rules shall:
1-18 (1) require safety chains to be strong enough to
1-19 maintain the connection between the trailer, semitrailer, [or]
1-20 house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle and the drawing vehicle; and
1-21 (2) show the proper method to attach safety chains
1-22 between the trailer, semitrailer, [or] house trailer, or drawn
1-23 motor vehicle and the drawing vehicle.
1-24 (d) This section does not apply to a trailer, semitrailer,
2-1 [or] house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle that is operated in
2-2 compliance with the federal motor carrier safety regulations.
2-3 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-4 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-5 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-6 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-7 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-8 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 932 was passed by the House on April
23, 1999, by a non-record vote; that the House refused to concur in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 932 on May 28, 1999, and requested
the appointment of a conference committee to consider the
differences between the two houses; and that the House adopted the
conference committee report on H.B. No. 932 on May 30, 1999, by a
non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 932 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 26, 1999, by a viva-voce vote; at the request of
the House, the Senate appointed a conference committee to consider
the differences between the two houses; and that the Senate adopted
the conference committee report on H.B. No. 932 on May 30, 1999, by
a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor