H.B. No. 946




AN ACT

relating to the permissible size of certain recreational vehicles 
operated on a public highway.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Y, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, 
is amended by amending Section 622.901 and adding Section 622.903 
to read as follows:
	Sec. 622.901.  WIDTH EXCEPTIONS.  The width limitation 
provided by Section 621.201 does not apply to:
		(1)  highway building or maintenance machinery that is 
traveling:           
			(A)  during daylight on a public highway other 
than a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and 
defense highways;  or
			(B)  for not more than 50 miles on a highway that 
is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways;
		(2)  a vehicle traveling during daylight on a public 
highway other than a highway that is part of the national system of 
interstate and defense highways or traveling for not more than 50 
miles on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate 
and defense highways if the vehicle is:
			(A)  a farm tractor or implement of husbandry;  or                           
			(B)  a vehicle on which a farm tractor or 
implement of husbandry, other than a tractor or implement being 
transported from one dealer to another, is being moved by the owner 
of the tractor or implement or by an agent or employee of the owner:
				(i)  to deliver the tractor or implement to a 
new owner;                  
				(ii)  to transport the tractor or implement 
to or from a mechanic for maintenance or repair;  or
				(iii) in the course of an agricultural 
operation;                         
		(3)  machinery that is used solely for drilling water 
wells, including machinery that is a unit or a unit mounted on a 
conventional vehicle or chassis, and that is traveling:
			(A)  during daylight on a public highway other 
than a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and 
defense highways;  or
			(B)  for not more than 50 miles on a highway that 
is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways;
		(4)  a vehicle owned or operated by a public, private, 
or volunteer fire department;  [or]
		(5)  a vehicle registered under Section 502.164; or                    
		(6)  a recreational vehicle to which Section 622.903 
applies.        
	Sec. 622.903.  WIDTH LIMITATION ON CERTAIN RECREATIONAL 
VEHICLES. (a) In this section:
		(1)  "Appurtenance" includes an awning, a grab handle, 
lighting equipment, or a vent.  The term does not include a 
load-carrying device.
		(2)  "Recreational vehicle" has the meaning assigned by 
Section 522.004.
	(b)  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.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 946 was passed by the House on March 
28, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 946 was passed by the Senate on May 
28, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor