BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2960

By: Darby

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been expressed that a commercial motor vehicle used to transport livestock to and from equine events and livestock shows does not fall under provisions of law relating to the registration of commercial motor vehicles used primarily for farm purposes.  C.S.H.B. 2960 seeks to address these concerns.

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

C.S.H.B. 2960 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a commercial motor vehicle used primarily for farm purposes to be registered as such a vehicle despite its use for transporting without charge the owner or a member of the owner's family for the purpose of participating in equine activities or attending livestock shows. The bill exempts an owner from the requirement to register a vehicle under provisions of law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for certain farm vehicles and drilling and construction equipment if the vehicle is used only temporarily on the highways and used for the purpose of participating in equine activities or attending livestock shows as those terms are defined in provisions of law relating to liability arising from such activities or shows.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2960 omits a provision included in the original removing a condition relating to the use of a vehicle within 150 miles of a person's farm for purposes of exempting a vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer from the applicability of provisions governing the issuance of a commercial driver's license. The substitutes adds a provision not in the original exempting from registration for the purpose of the issuance of specialty license plates certain vehicles used temporarily for purposes relating to equine activities and livestock shows.