By King of Parker                                      H.B. No. 651
         77R8096 MTB-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the operation of certain all-terrain vehicles on public
 1-3     streets, roads, and highways.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 663.002(a), Transportation Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  Except as provided by Section 663.037, Chapter 521 does
 1-8     not apply to the operation or ownership of an all-terrain vehicle
 1-9     registered for off-highway operation.
1-10           SECTION 2. Section 663.037, Transportation Code, is amended
1-11     by redesignating existing Subsection (d) as Subsection (f) and
1-12     adding new Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
1-13           (d)  The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the
1-14     vehicle on a public street, road, or highway that is not an
1-15     interstate or limited-access highway if:
1-16                 (1)  the transportation is in connection with the
1-17     production, cultivation, care, harvesting, preserving, drying,
1-18     processing, canning, storing, handling, shipping, marketing,
1-19     selling, or use of agricultural products, as defined by Section
1-20     52.002, Agriculture Code;
1-21                 (2)  the operator attaches to the back of the vehicle
1-22     on top of an eight foot long pole a triangular orange flag; and
1-23                 (3)  the operator holds a driver's license, as defined
1-24     by Section 521.001.
 2-1           (e)  The director of the Department of Public Safety shall
 2-2     adopt standards and specifications that apply to the color, size,
 2-3     and mounting position of the flag required under Subsection (d)(2).
 2-4           (f) [(d)]  This section does not apply to the operation of an
 2-5     all-terrain vehicle that is owned by the state, a county, or a
 2-6     municipality by a person who is an authorized operator of the
 2-7     vehicle.          
 2-8           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.