BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1631

By: Phelan

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, only counties with specific populations are authorized to locally enforce federal regulations for commercial vehicles. Interested parties contend that there is a tremendous need for local law enforcement to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in regulating commercial traffic in certain areas of the state to ensure that all vehicles that travel on the state highway system do so in a safe and lawful manner. H.B. 1631 seeks to address this issue by revising provisions relating to the certification of certain peace officers to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1631 amends the Transportation Code to include among the peace officers eligible to apply for certification to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards a sheriff or deputy sheriff of a county with a population of less than 100,000 that borders the state of Louisiana and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and a police officer of a municipality located in such a county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.