BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 61
86R1765 AAF-D	By: White (Nichols)
	Transportation
	4/8/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2017, the legislature believed that motorists needed to be able to differentiate between law enforcement vehicles and vehicles used by private security entities (if lit by a lamp or other illuminating device) and passed H.B. 2812. H.B. 2812 restricted the lights with which a security patrol vehicle is authorized to be equipped to green, amber, or white lights. H.B. 61 does something similar: it permits the use of flashing blue and amber lights on escort flag vehicles. H.B. 61 also defines an escort flag vehicle as a vehicle that precedes or follows an oversized or overweight vehicle.

H.B. 61 amends current law relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on escort flag vehicles.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 547.305, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e-3) and amending Subsection (f), as follows:

(e-3) Authorizes an escort flag vehicle to be equipped with alternating or flashing blue and amber lights.

(f) Defines "escort flag vehicle" as a vehicle that precedes or follows an oversize or overweight vehicle described by Subtitle E (Vehicle Size and Weight) for the purpose of facilitating the safe movement of the oversize or overweight vehicle over roads. Makes nonsubstantive changes to this subsection.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.