88R26135 DRS-F
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 5151
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of certain contract carriers and
  subcontractors of contract carriers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 644.054, Transportation Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  In this section, "contract carrier" includes a
  subcontractor of a contract carrier.
         (a-1)  This section applies only to a contract carrier that
  transports an operating employee of a railroad on a road or highway
  of this state in a vehicle designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers.
         (b)  The department shall adopt rules regulating the
  operation of a contract carrier to which this section applies.  The
  rules must:
               (1)  prohibit a person from operating a vehicle for
  more than 12 hours in a day;
               (2)  require a person who operates a vehicle for the
  number of consecutive hours or days the department determines is
  excessive to rest for a period determined by the department;
               (3)  require a contract carrier to keep a record of all
  hours a vehicle subject to regulation under this section is
  operated;
               (4)  require a contract carrier to perform alcohol and
  drug testing of vehicle operators on employment, on suspicion of
  alcohol or drug abuse, and periodically as determined by the
  department;
               (5)  require a contract carrier, at a minimum, to
  maintain commercial automobile liability insurance in the amount of
  $3 [$1.5] million for each vehicle; and
               (6)  be determined by the department to be necessary to
  protect the safety of a passenger being transported or the general
  public.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.