AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The specific problem being addressed by this legislation is that the length of towing devices is being taken into account when calculating the length of the harvest machine being towed. The length restrictions in Section 621.205, Transportation Code, are resulting in an inordinate and overly burdensome number of trips on the road. Current law places a length limitation of 81-1/2 feet to non-interstate transportation of harvest machines. S.B. 1338 keeps the same 81-1/2 foot limitation, but for the harvest machines being towed, excluding the length of the vehicle towing the harvest machine.
As proposed, S.B. 1338 amends current law relating to the exemption from length limitations of certain vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport harvest machines.
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 622.902, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 622.902. LENGTH EXCEPTIONS. Provides that the length limitations provided by Sections 621.203 (Maximum Length of Motor Vehicle) to 621.205 (Maximum Length of Vehicle Combinations) do not apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport a harvest machine, rather than a combine, that is used in farm custom harvesting operations on a farm if the overall length of the vehicle or combination is not longer than 81-1/2 feet of truck-tractor, semitrailer, and trailer combination, excluding the length of the towing device, if the vehicle is not traveling on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.