H.B. 946 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 946
By: Brown, Fred
     Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended) 


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

State law currently governs the maximum width limits for non-commercial,
personal use vehicles such as motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel
trailers, fold-down campers and truck campers.   The Federal Highway
Administration, however, governs the maximum width of commercial vehicles
and has established the maximum width for commercial vehicles at 102
inches wide measured from fender to fender.  Every state has adopted the
102-inch maximum width standard established by FHA for non-commercial,
personal use vehicles as well. 

Twenty-four states, however, have provided exceptions to the width-limit
for personal-use, noncommercial vehicles if the reason for exceeding the
102-inch width limitation is due to an "appurtenance" including an awning,
grab handle, lighting equipment or a vent that extends six inches or less
beyond a fender on one or both sides of the vehicle.  The term
"appurtenance" does not include a load-carrying device. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

HB 946 would amend the Transportation Code to allow an exception to the
maximum width limitation for non-commercial personal use recreational
vehicles.  The exception would apply only to vehicles where the excess
width is attributable to an appurtenance defined as an awning, grab
handle, lighting equipment, or a vent extending six inches or less on one
or both sides of the vehicle. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.