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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Seliger |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Due to the increasing size of headers on agricultural combines, longer trailers are needed to transport those headers, which range in size from 35 to 45 feet. Current law limits the length of a combination of vehicles used to transport a combine that is used in farm custom harvesting operations to 75 feet. Increasing the permissible length limit to account for the increased size of headers would enable custom harvesters to reduce the number of trips needed to move all of their equipment from farm to farm.
As proposed, S.B. 969 increases from 75 feet to 81-1/2 feet the maximum permissible length of a vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport a combine that is used in farm custom harvesting operations if the vehicle is traveling on a road that is not part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 622.902, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 622.902. LENGTH EXCEPTIONS. Provides that the length limitations provided by Sections 621.203 (Maximum Length of Motor Vehicle), 621.204 (Maximum Length of Semitrailer or Trailer), and 621.205 (Maximum Length of Vehicle Combinations) do not apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport a combine that is used in farm custom harvesting operations on a farm if the overall length of the vehicle or combination is not longer than 75 feet if the vehicle is traveling on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system, or 81-1/2 feet if the vehicle is not traveling on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2009.