BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 540

88R1050 SCP-D

By: Campbell

 

Transportation

 

3/6/2023

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current Transportation Code limits the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle safety to police officers within municipalities that have a population of 50,000 or more, a county with a population of 500,000 or more, that contains an international port, municipalities within counties that border Mexico, along with various carve outs. These limits on commercial motor vehicle enforcement have left certain communities with a public safety issue. Commercial motor vehicles, some of which violate code, are able to drive through certain communities while law enforcement does not have the ability to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws. Overloaded and unsafe commercial motor vehicles should not be allowed to continue through these communities unchecked.

 

As proposed, S.B. 540 amends current law relating to the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle safety standards in certain municipalities.

 

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 644.101(b), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(b) Provides that a police officer of any of the following municipalities is eligible to apply for certification under Section 644.101 (Certification of Certain Peace Officers):

 

(1)-(13) makes no changes to these subdivisions;

 

(14)-(15) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; or

 

(16) a municipality that is located within 25 miles of an international airport, and in a county that contains a quarry and is adjacent to a county with a population of more than two million.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.