By Deshotel                                            H.B. No. 135
         77R1220 DWS-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to collection and dissemination of information concerning
 1-3     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.  INFORMATION CONCERNING UNSAFE DRIVING. (a)
 1-8     The department by rule shall provide that a motor carrier, as
 1-9     defined by Section 643.001, may not control, operate, or direct the
1-10     operation of a commercial motor vehicle on a road or highway of
1-11     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 conspicuously displayed on the vehicle a
1-16     notice of the toll-free number that a person may call to report
1-17     unsafe driving.
1-18           (b)  The rules adopted under this section must require that
1-19     the toll-free telephone number stated in the notice be answered, by
1-20     an individual capable of accepting reports of unsafe driving, at
1-21     the times prescribed by the rules.
1-22           (c)  Each motor carrier annually shall submit to the
1-23     department, in the form and manner prescribed by department rules,
1-24     information concerning calls that the motor carrier receives
 2-1     reporting unsafe driving. The department shall analyze the
 2-2     information and make available to the public a report of its
 2-3     analysis.
 2-4           SECTION 2. The Department of Public Safety shall adopt the
 2-5     rules required by Section 644.055, Transportation Code, as added by
 2-6     this Act, before January 1, 2002.
 2-7           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.