By Seaman                                             H.B. No. 1147
         76R1621 WP-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to lighting and red flag requirements for certain vehicles
 1-3     with extended loads.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  The section heading to Section 622.052,
 1-6     Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 622.052.  TIME OF OPERATION; SPEED; LIGHTING
 1-8     REQUIREMENTS  [DISPLAY OF FLAG OR CLOTH]
 1-9           SECTION 2.  Section 622.052(b), Transportation Code, is
1-10     amended to read as follows:
1-11           (b)  A vehicle to which this subchapter applies shall display
1-12     on the extreme end of the load:
1-13                 (1)  two red lamps visible at a distance of at least
1-14     500 feet from the rear;
1-15                 (2)  two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width
1-16     and are visible, when light is insufficient or atmospheric
1-17     conditions are unfavorable, at all distances from 100 to 600 feet
1-18     from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
1-19     headlamps; and
1-20                 (3)  two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the
1-21     maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet
1-22     from the side. [A red flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square
1-23     must be displayed at the rear of the load carried on the vehicle so
1-24     that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle
 2-1     approaching from the rear.]
 2-2           SECTION 3.  The section heading to Section 622.062,
 2-3     Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
 2-4           Sec. 622.062.  TIME OF OPERATION; LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
 2-5     [DISPLAY OF FLAG OR CLOTH]
 2-6           SECTION 4.  Section 622.062(b), Transportation Code, is
 2-7     amended to read as follows:
 2-8           (b)  A vehicle to which this subchapter applies shall display
 2-9     on the extreme end of the load:
2-10                 (1)  two red lamps visible at a distance of at least
2-11     500 feet from the rear;
2-12                 (2)  two red reflectors that indicate the maximum width
2-13     and are visible, when light is insufficient or atmospheric
2-14     conditions are unfavorable, at all distances from 100 to 600 feet
2-15     from the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
2-16     headlamps; and
2-17                 (3)  two red lamps, one on each side, that indicate the
2-18     maximum overhang and are visible at a distance of at least 500 feet
2-19     from the side. [A strobe light or red flag or cloth not less than
2-20     12 inches square must be displayed at the rear of the load carried
2-21     on the vehicle so that the light or the entire area of the flag or
2-22     cloth is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the
2-23     rear.]
2-24           SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and
2-25     applies only to the operation of a motor vehicle occurring on or
2-26     after that date.  A vehicle operated before the effective date of
2-27     this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time of operation,
 3-1     and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
 3-2           SECTION 6.  The importance of this legislation and the
 3-3     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 3-4     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 3-5     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 3-6     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.