BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 378

By: Guillen

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law provides requirements for the passing of an authorized emergency vehicle but on a public roadway does not address the passing of a stationary tow truck.  H.B. 378 amends the Transportation Code to make provisions relating to passing an authorized emergency vehicle applicable to a stationary tow truck using certain authorized equipment.

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. 378 amends the Transportation Code to make provisions relating to passing an authorized emergency vehicle applicable to a stationary tow truck using certain authorized equipment. The bill makes provisions relating to stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle outside a business or residence district inapplicable to such a tow truck. The bill adds a tow truck to the vehicles with a warning lamp that are exempt from provisions relating to restrictions on the use of lights.

H.B. 378 defines "tow truck" to mean a vehicle that has been issued a tow truck permit and is operated by a licensed tow truck operator.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.