BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3651

By: Wray

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note discrepancies in requirements for certain trailers to meet various brake standards. H.B. 3651 seeks to address this issue by revising the requirement for certain trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers to be equipped with emergency brakes.

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. 3651 amends the Transportation Code to specify that, for a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer required to be equipped with brakes that are promptly applied automatically and remain applied for at least 15 minutes in case of a breakaway from the towing vehicle, the wheels on which such brakes are required to operate are those required to have brakes under statutory provisions relating to the operation and maintenance of brakes. The bill increases from 3,000 pounds to 4,500 pounds the minimum gross vehicle weight that triggers the requirement for a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer to be equipped with such brakes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.