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AN ACT
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relating to safety regulations for certain contract carriers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 644.054, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) The department shall adopt rules regulating the |
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operation of a contract carrier to which this section applies. The |
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rules must: |
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(1) prohibit a person from operating a vehicle for |
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more than 12 hours in a day; |
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(2) require a person who operates a vehicle for the |
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number of consecutive hours or days the department determines is |
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excessive to rest for a period determined by the department; |
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(3) require a contract carrier to keep a record of all |
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hours a vehicle subject to regulation under this section is |
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operated; [and] |
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(4) require a contract carrier to perform alcohol and |
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drug testing of vehicle operators on employment, on suspicion of |
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alcohol or drug abuse, and periodically as determined by the |
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department; |
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(5) require a contract carrier, at a minimum, to |
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maintain liability insurance in the amount of $1.5 million for each |
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vehicle; and |
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(6) be determined by the department to be necessary to |
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protect the safety of a passenger being transported or the general |
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public. |
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(c) The department shall inform contract carriers and |
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railroad companies that employ contract carriers of the |
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requirements of state statutes applicable to contract carriers. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 481 passed the Senate on |
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March 19, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 481 passed the House on |
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May 12, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 149, Nays 0, one |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |