BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2127
80R7422 MTB-D By: Murphy (Williams)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law prohibits privately owned utility companies from using all-terrain vehicles on public streets, roads, or highways. However, current law authorizes employees of municipal utility companies to use such vehicles on public streets, roads, or highways in order to inspect utility lines. Additionally, operators of all-terrain vehicles are also authorized to use such vehicles on public streets, roads, or highways in connection with agricultural work. Privately owned utility companies may benefit by being allowed the same use of all-terrain vehicles in the same manner provided to municipal utilities and agricultural workers.
H.B. 2127 authorizes utility workers to drive all-terrain vehicles on a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited access highway if the operation of the vehicle is in connection to utility work.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 663.037, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (d-1), as follows:
(d) Authorizes the operator of an all-terrain vehicle to drive the vehicle on a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway under certain conditions, including if the transportation is in connection with utility work performed by a utility.
(d-1) Creates this subsection from existing text. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.