BILL ANALYSIS
By: Gattis
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Current law does not require commercial tucks hauling dirt, sand, gravel, or refuse to cover their load with a tarp, leaving the motorist who drives behind such a vehicle vulnerable to material spilling out onto the roadway. To remedy this hazardous situation, House Bill 754 requires a commercial vehicle carrying such material to cover its load with a tarp.
The tarping of trucks hauling aggregate, regardless of the size of the aggregate, is a recommendation contained in both the Interim Report (page 9) and the Dissenting Report (page 3) of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Rock Crushers and Quarries.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
House Bill 754 amends Section 725.003(c), Transportation Code, by providing that the offense of failing to secure a load is punishable up to a fine of $500. Additionally, House Bill 754 amends Section 725.021, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e) which requires commercial vehicles hauling dirt, sand, gravel, or refuse, to cover their respective load. This Act takes affect September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.