78R5059 JTS-F

By:  Brown of Brazos                                              H.B. No. 946


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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.