BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 176
By: Brimer
Transportation and Homeland Security
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, passenger cars and light trucks are required to use towing safety chains when towing a trailer. Trailers used for agricultural purposes are currently exempted from this requirement. Fatal accidents have been caused by trailers becoming detached from towing vehicles. C.S.S.B. 176 requires most passenger cars and light trucks to use towing safety chains when towing a trailer by removing the exemption for agricultural trailers and adding an exemption for certain types of trailers that exhibit adequate safety standards.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1 (Section 545.410, Transportation Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 545.410(a), Transportation Code, to require the Department of Public Safety, by rule, to exempt certain types of trailers that exhibit adequate safety standards from the requirements of this subsection. Deletes existing text pertaining to this subsection not applying to the drawing of a trailer or semitrailer used for agricultural purposes.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.