78R7501 JRJ-D
By: Talton H.B. No. 849
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 849:
By: Hamric C.S.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.