BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3654

By: Wray

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that state law governing vehicle equipment in relation to the rules of the road applies to road machinery, but that this type of apparatus is not clearly defined. 
H.B. 3654 seeks to eliminate opportunities for the misapplication of this law by providing a definition for road machinery.

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. 3654 amends the Transportation Code to define "road machinery," for purposes of statutory provisions governing vehicle equipment, as a self-propelled vehicle that was originally and permanently designed as machinery, is not designed or used primarily to transport persons or property, and is only incidentally operated on a highway.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.