78R7501 JRJ-D


By:  Talton                                                       H.B. No. 849



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of tow truck lights by political 
subdivisions.   
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 545.306(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioners court of a county with a population of 
3.3 million or more shall by ordinance provide for the licensing of 
or the granting of a permit to a person to remove or store a vehicle 
authorized by Section 545.305 to be removed in an unincorporated 
area of the county.  The ordinance must include rules to ensure the 
protection of the public and the safe and efficient operation of 
towing and storage services in the county and may not regulate or 
restrict the use of lighting equipment more than the extent allowed 
by state and federal law.  The sheriff shall determine the rules 
included in the ordinance with the review and consent of the 
commissioners court.
	SECTION 2.  Section 643.201(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the registration requirements of 
Subchapter B, a political subdivision of this state may regulate 
the operation of a tow truck to the extent allowed by federal law, 
except that a political subdivision may not issue a more 
restrictive regulation for the use of lighting equipment on a tow 
truck than is imposed by this title.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.