By: Carona S.B. No. 481

(In the Senate - Filed January 14, 2009; February 17, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security; March 2, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 2, 2009, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to safety regulations for certain contract carriers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 644.054, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(b) The department shall adopt rules regulating the operation of a contract carrier to which this section applies. The rules must:

(1) prohibit a person from operating a vehicle for more than 12 hours in a day;

(2) require a person who operates a vehicle for the number of consecutive hours or days the department determines is excessive to rest for a period determined by the department;

(3) require a contract carrier to keep a record of all hours a vehicle subject to regulation under this section is operated; [and]

(4) require a contract carrier to perform alcohol and drug testing of vehicle operators on employment, on suspicion of alcohol or drug abuse, and periodically as determined by the department;

(5) require a contract carrier, at a minimum, to maintain liability insurance in the amount of $1.5 million for each vehicle; and

(6) be determined by the department to be necessary to protect the safety of a passenger being transported or the general public.

(c) The department shall inform contract carriers and railroad companies that employ contract carriers of the requirements of state statutes applicable to contract carriers.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

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