Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1252 by Pickett (Relating to uniform weighing procedures requirements for motor vehicle weight enforcement officers.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish by rule uniform weighing procedures for weight enforcement officers to ensure an accurate weight is obtained for a motor vehicle. The bill would also authorize DPS to revoke or rescind the authority of certain weight enforcement officers who fail to comply with the weighing procedures.
The bill would also provide an affirmative defense to the offense of operating a certain vehicle with a weight heavier than the weight authorized by law that at the time of the offense if the weight enforcement officer failed to follow the weighing procedures established by DPS pursuant to this bill when determining the weight of the vehicle.
It is assumed DPS can absorb any costs associated with implementing the provisions of this bill within current resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) notes in its response that the bill would likely include a requirement for local entities to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with DPS to indicate the local entity will adhere to the standards promulgated by DPS. According to the City of Carrollton, fiscal impact to counties to implement the provisions of the bill is not anticipated to be significant.