BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 971

By: Perry

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

While current law allows for certain exemptions on public roads for implements of husbandry, interested parties maintain that the law may not cover certain equipment traditionally thought of and used as implements of husbandry. S.B. 971 seeks to address this issue by amending the applicable law.

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

S.B. 971 amends the Transportation Code to include in the definition of "implement of husbandry" a towed vehicle that transports to the field and spreads fertilizer or agricultural chemicals and a motor vehicle designed and adapted to deliver feed to livestock. The bill clarifies that the exemption from vehicle width limitations for farm tractors, implements of husbandry, and vehicles moving such equipment traveling on certain highways during daylight applies to farm tractors and implements of husbandry as those terms are defined under statutory provisions relating to vehicles, rail transportation, and equipment and by the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.