By: Romero, Jr., et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hancock) H.B. No. 4797
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 24, 2023;
  May 1, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Transportation; May 11, 2023, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 11, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to training on the treatment of toll project roadways
  during inclement weather.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 372, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 372.059 to read as follows:
         Sec. 372.059.  TREATMENT OF TOLL ROADWAY DURING INCLEMENT
  WEATHER. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a toll project
  entity that treats a roadway maintained by the entity during icy or
  snowy weather shall require each employee or contractor who
  develops and supervises a plan for roadway treatment to complete a
  training course on treating roadways during icy or snowy weather in
  the same manner as a department employee who treats roadways during
  icy or snowy weather.
         (b)  The department, in coordination with public toll
  project entities:
               (1)  shall make training courses that the department
  provides to department employees who develop and supervise plans
  for roadway treatment available to a person required to receive
  training under Subsection (a); and
               (2)  may adopt rules as necessary to implement this
  section.
         (c)  The department, in coordination with toll project
  entities, shall identify the types of employees and contractors who
  are subject to the training requirements under Subsection (a).
         (d)  A training course described by Subsection (b) must
  include instruction regarding:
               (1)  prioritizing treatment of elevated structures and
  other roadway elements that pose the highest risk to public health
  and safety during icy or snowy weather;
               (2)  timing of treatment of roadways during icy or
  snowy weather; and
               (3)  treatment of general purpose lanes adjacent to a
  toll project.
         (e)  The department may authorize a toll project entity to
  require that an employee or contractor required to receive training
  under Subsection (a) complete a training course provided by another
  entity that includes substantially the same information as a course
  provided by the department.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
  * * * * *