BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1988

                                                                                                                                           By: Talton

                                                                                                                                     Transportation

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

When trucks are weighed and found to be overweight, it is the truckers themselves who are fined, though they inherently have no control over the loading process.  This is an unfair practice.  The enforcement and fine should be traced back to the shipping yard where the loading takes place.  When overweighed, trucks have problems steering, stopping or even accelerating safely on to highways and thus prove to be hazardous to not only the truckers, but to other motorists on the road.  House bill 1988 amends current law by placing the enforcement on those who overload a vehicle, as well as the drivers who operate an overloaded vehicle.

 

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 1988 amends Section 621.506(b), Transportation Code to establish that it is an offense as a misdemeanor to load or operate a vehicle that is 5,000 pounds to greater than 10,000 pounds heavier than the allowed weight.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005.