By:  Jackson                                                      S.B. No. 587


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to operation of certain machinery or equipment near 
high-voltage lines.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsections (a) and (b), Section 752.006, Health 
and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A person, firm, corporation, or association, 
individually, through an agent or employee, or as an agent or 
employee, may not operate a crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling 
rig, hayloader, haystacker, mechanical cotton picker, pile driver, 
hoisting equipment, or similar apparatus any part of which is 
capable of vertical, lateral, or swinging motion unless[:
		[(1)]  a warning sign is posted and maintained as 
prescribed by Subsections (b) and (c)[;
		[(2)  an insulated cage-type guard or protective device 
is installed about the boom or arm of the equipment, except a 
backhoe or dipper; and
		[(3)  each lifting line, if the equipment includes a 
lifting hook device, is equipped with an insulator link on the lift 
hook connection].
	(b)  The warning sign required by Subsection (a) [(a)(1)] 
must be a weather-resistant sign of not less than five inches by 
seven inches with either a yellow background and black lettering, 
or with background coloring and lettering that conforms to the 
recommendations or requirements of regulations adopted by the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration for warning signs, 
that reads:

"WARNING--UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT WITHIN TEN FEET OF 
HIGH VOLTAGE LINES."
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.