BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3415

By: Flynn

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point out that driving on the improved shoulder of a highway is allowed only for the purpose of performing limited actions and that only emergency vehicles, police patrols, and bicycles are exempted from the limitations.  The parties assert that a slow-moving vehicle, as it is defined in Texas law, is consequently forced to drive on the roadway or violate the law by driving on the improved shoulder.  H.B. 3415 seeks to allow a slow-moving vehicle to drive on the improved shoulder.

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. 3415 amends the Transportation Code to exempt a slow-moving vehicle from statutory provisions that limit driving on an improved shoulder to the right of the main traveled portion of a roadway or to the left of the main traveled portion of a divided or limited-access or controlled-access highway to certain specified circumstances. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.