SRC-AMY S.B. 645 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 645
78R5059 JTS-FBy: Wentworth
Infrastructure Development and Security
3/20/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law prohibits the width of a vehicle from exceeding 102
inches, not including safety equipment. As Texas continues to attract
travel and tourism business to the state, it is important that our
transportation laws do not unnecessarily penalize owners of recreational
vehicles.  As proposed, S.B. 645 allows recreational vehicle accessories,
including awnings and grab handles, to extend up to six inches beyond the
102 inch width limit. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 622Y, Transportation Code, by amending Section
622.901 and adding Section 622.903, as follows: 

Sec. 622.901. Makes a conforming change in accordance with Section
622.903. Makes a nonsubstantive change. 

Sec. 622.903. WIDTH LIMITATION ON CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.  (a)
Defines "appurtenance" and "recreational vehicle."  

(b) Provides that a recreational vehicle may exceed a width limitation,
established by Section 621.201 or 621.202, if the excess width is
attributable to an appurtenance that extends six inches or less beyond a
fender on one or both sides of the vehicle. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.