BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 749

79R8176 MTB-F                                                                          By: Jones, Delwin et al. (Duncan)

Transportation & Homeland Security

4/21/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The original cotton module legislation limited the use of module trucks to the transporting of cotton, cotton processing equipment, seed cotton, and cotton burrs only.  H.B. 749 authorizes transportation of certain agricultural products and equipment from the place of production to the place of first processing.

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 Section 504.505(a), Transportation Code, to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specialty license plates for a single motor vehicle that is used only to transport seed cotton, cotton, cotton burrs, or equipment used in transporting or processing cotton.  Deletes existing text referring to modules.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 522.003, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (24-a), to define " seed cotton module."

SECTION 3.  Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER I.  New Heading:  VEHICLES TRANSPORTING CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OR EQUIPMENT

Sec.  622.101. New heading:  VEHICLE TRANSPORTING CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OR PROCESSING EQUIPMENT.  (a)  Creates this subsection from existing text.  Prohibits a single motor vehicle used exclusively to transport chili peppers, seed cotton, cotton, cotton burrs, or equipment used to transport or process chili peppers or cotton, including a motor vehicle or burr spreader, from the place of production to the place of first processing, from being operated on a highway if the vehicle meets certain criteria.  Deletes existing text relating to the vehicle being registered under Section 502.277.

(b)  Requires a motor vehicle that transports seed cotton to be registered under Section 504.505.

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 622.953(a), Transportation Code, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 644.052(c), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 6.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 7.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.