84R18710 JXC-D

By: Kacal, González, Springer H.B. No. 2202

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2202:

By: Springer C.S.H.B. No. 2202

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for certain farm vehicles when operating on a highway.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 541.201(6), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(6) "Implement of husbandry" means:

(A) a vehicle, other than a passenger car or truck, that is designed and adapted for use as a farm implement, machinery, or tool for tilling the soil;

(B) a towed vehicle that transports to the field and spreads fertilizer or agricultural chemicals; or

(C) a motor vehicle designed and adapted to deliver feed to livestock.

SECTION 2. Section 622.901, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 622.901. WIDTH EXCEPTIONS. (a) In this section, "farm tractor" and "implement of husbandry" have the meanings assigned by Section 541.201.

(b) The width limitation provided by Section 621.201 does not apply to:

(1) highway building or maintenance machinery that is traveling:

(A) during daylight on a public highway other than a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways; or

(B) for not more than 50 miles on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways;

(2) a vehicle traveling during daylight on a public highway other than a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or traveling for not more than 50 miles on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways if the vehicle is:

(A) a farm tractor or implement of husbandry; or

(B) a vehicle on which a farm tractor or implement of husbandry, other than a tractor or implement being transported from one dealer to another, is being moved by the owner of the tractor or implement or by an agent or employee of the owner:

(i) to deliver the tractor or implement to a new owner;

(ii) to transport the tractor or implement to or from a mechanic for maintenance or repair; or

(iii) in the course of an agricultural operation;

(3) machinery that is used solely for drilling water wells, including machinery that is a unit or a unit mounted on a conventional vehicle or chassis, and that is traveling:

(A) during daylight on a public highway other than a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways; or

(B) for not more than 50 miles on a highway that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways;

(4) a vehicle owned or operated by a public, private, or volunteer fire department;

(5) a vehicle registered under Section 502.431; or

(6) a recreational vehicle to which Section 622.903 applies.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.