79R3005 DWS-D

By:  Goolsby                                                      H.B. No. 523



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to restriction on the use of certain highway lanes by 
certain vehicles.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 545.0653 to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.0653.  RESTRICTION ON USE OF LEFT LANE BY CERTAIN 
VEHICLES.  (a)  This section applies only to a vehicle or 
combination of vehicles that:
		(1)  has a total of 18 wheels or more; and                             
		(2)  is on a highway that:                                             
			(A)  is in the designated state highway system;                       
			(B)  is designated a controlled access facility; 
and                
			(C)  has a minimum of three travel lanes, 
excluding access or frontage roads, in each direction of traffic.
	(b)  An operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles to 
which this section applies may not drive in the lane farthest to the 
left unless:
		(1)  doing so is necessary to enter or exit the highway; 
or          
		(2)  only that lane is available for travel because of:                
			(A)  construction or maintenance activity; or                         
			(B)  emergency or incident management.                                
	(c)  The Texas Department of Transportation shall erect and 
maintain official traffic control devices necessary to implement 
and enforce this section.  A restriction imposed by Subsection (b) 
may not be enforced until the appropriate traffic control devices 
are in place.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.