AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Increased energy sector activity in the Eagle Ford Shale has led to a dramatic rise in commercial truck traffic in and around the region. Particularly in areas closest to the Port of Corpus Christi and major highways, state and county law enforcement entities struggle to adequately enforce weight limits and other safety standards for commercial vehicles. The prevalence of illegal overweight and oversized trucks has resulted in an increase in accidents and traffic fatalities. S.B. 320 increases roadway safety in an area of the state that has experienced a dramatic increase in commercial truck traffic and related accidents by authorizing police officers in certain municipalities to become certified to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards.
As proposed, S.B. 320 amends current law relating to the certification of certain peace officers to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 644.101(b), Transportation Code, to include a municipality located in a county with a population between 60,000 and 66,000 adjacent to a bay connected to the Gulf of Mexico among certain enumerated municipalities in which a police officer of the municipality is eligible to apply for a certification to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage, or September 1, 2015.