BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4187

By: Jones

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the length limit for a vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport a combine used in farm custom harvesting is 75 feet.  Over time, the length of headers has increased to 35 to 45 feet, and longer trailers are needed to transport these headers. 

H.B. 4187 modifies the length exemption for a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, used to transport a combine.  The bill allows for an additional 6-1/2 feet of length, except on certain highways, to account for the increased sizes of headers and the longer trailers needed to haul the headers for use in custom harvesting.  The bill allows custom harvesters to reduce the number of trips needed to move harvesting equipment from farm to farm and, consequently, allows these farmers to work more efficiently. 

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

H.B. 4187 amends a provision of the Transportation Code, exempting from specified length limitations a vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport a combine that is used in farm custom harvesting operations, to limit the current exemption, applicable if the overall length of the vehicle or combination is not greater than 75 feet, to a vehicle travelling on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system.  The bill establishes an exemption for such a vehicle or combination of vehicles, if the overall length is not greater than 81-1/2 feet, if the vehicle is not vehicle travelling on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.