BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 917

By: Craddick

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle safety standards in certain areas of the Permian Basin region heavily impacted by the energy industry. It has been suggested that the number of peace officers eligible to enforce these standards in the region is insufficient to maximize the safety of motorists and truck drivers alike. H.B. 917 seeks to address this issue by allowing additional peace officers to become certified to enforce these safety standards.

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. 917 amends the Transportation Code to include among the peace officers eligible to apply

for certification to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards a police officer of a municipality with a population of less than 50,000 that is located in a county that generated $20 million or more in tax revenue collected from oil and gas production during the preceding state fiscal year or in a county that is adjacent to two or more such counties.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.