BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1302

By: Anderson, Rodney

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding perceived inconsistencies in the assessment of fines for certain oversize or overweight vehicles traveling through various jurisdictions, leading to vehicle operators seeking out routes through jurisdictions known to assess lower fines. H.B. 1302 seeks to address this issue by removing certain limitations on a municipal court's jurisdiction of an offense involving the operation of such a vehicle.

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

H.B. 1302 amends the Transportation Code to remove the limitation on a municipal court's jurisdiction of an offense involving the operation of an oversize or overweight vehicle by the holder of an overweight vehicle permit to such an offense for which the fine does not exceed $500.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.