By Goolsby                                             H.B. No. 111
         77R707 DWS-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to a toll-free telephone number that a person may call to
 1-3     report unsafe driving of a commercial motor vehicle.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 644, Transportation Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 644.055 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 644.055.  TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR REPORTING
 1-8     UNSAFE DRIVING. (a)  The department by rule shall provide that a
 1-9     motor carrier, as defined by Section 643.001, may not control,
1-10     operate, or direct the operation of a commercial motor vehicle on a
1-11     road or highway of this state unless:
1-12                 (1)  the motor carrier maintains a toll-free telephone
1-13     number at which the motor carrier accepts reports of unsafe driving
1-14     of the vehicle; and
1-15                 (2)  there is displayed on the vehicle a notice as
1-16     provided by Subsection (b).
1-17           (b)  The notice must:
1-18                 (1)  state: "To report unsafe driving, please call
1-19     (insert the toll-free number)";
1-20                 (2)  include a unique identifying number for the
1-21     vehicle;
1-22                 (3)  be in letters and numbers at least eight inches
1-23     high; and
1-24                 (4)  be located on a contrasting background in a
 2-1     conspicuous place on the rear of the vehicle.
 2-2           (c)  The rules adopted under this section must require that
 2-3     the toll-free telephone number stated in the notice be answered, by
 2-4     an individual capable of accepting reports of unsafe driving, at
 2-5     all times.
 2-6           SECTION 2. The Department of Public Safety shall adopt the
 2-7     rules required by Section 644.055, Transportation Code, as added by
 2-8     this Act, before January 1, 2002.
 2-9           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.