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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power |
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lines; creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 545.157(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) This section applies only to the following vehicles: |
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(1) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using |
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visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and |
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547.702; |
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(2) a stationary tow truck using equipment authorized |
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by Section 547.305(d); [and] |
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(3) a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle not |
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separated from the roadway by a traffic control channelizing device |
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and using visual signals that comply with the standards and |
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specifications adopted under Section 547.105; and |
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(4) a vehicle used in the maintenance of an electrical |
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power line and using visual signals that comply with the standards |
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and specifications adopted under Section 547.105. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 547.105(a) and (b), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt |
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standards and specifications that: |
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(1) apply to lamps on highway maintenance and service |
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equipment, including snow-removal equipment, and to vehicles used |
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in the maintenance of electrical power lines; and |
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(2) correlate with and conform as closely as possible |
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to standards and specifications approved by the American |
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Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. |
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(b) The Texas Department of Transportation may adopt |
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standards and specifications for lighting that permit the use of |
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flashing lights for identification purposes on highway maintenance |
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and service equipment, including snow-removal equipment, and for |
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vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power lines. |
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SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Transportation shall |
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adopt standards and specifications relating to lamps and lighting |
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on vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power lines, as |
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required by Section 547.105, Transportation Code, as amended by |
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this Act, not later than October 1, 2017. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |