Texas Tank Truck Carriers Association, Inc.Texas Tank Truck Carriers Association, Inc.RE: SUMMARY OF KEY BILLS
76TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Please refer to Circular Letters 1255 and 1256 for detailed information on specific bills, and also to the list of bills below concerning the 76th Texas Legislative Session. Attached as Appendix A is a list of all the key bills we are following, but because many of the bills may not proceed through to law, we are not giving a detailed analysis unless their passage becomes imminent or they change in such a way that can affect the tank truck carrier industry.
IMPORTANT BILLS:
HB 936: Denny Weight Limits-Vehicles
Relating to the operation of overweight vehicles on certain farm-to-market and ranch-to-market roads.
Referred to Transportation Committee, 2/9/99
Comments: Allows the Commissioners' Court of a county to set a speed limit lower than under the current code for an overweight vehicle; and allows the court to restrict operation of overweight vehicles and specify routes, including restrictions on hours of use.
HB 2160: Bosse Safety-Inspection
Relating to the certification of municipal police officers to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety standards.
Referred to Public Safety Committee, 3/8/99
Comments: Allows certification of municipal police officers in a municipality with a population of less than 25,000, any part of which is located in a county with a population of 2.4 million and that contains or is adjacent to an international airport.
HB 2679: Sadler Weight Limits-Road Use Agreements
Relating to authorizing a county to require a road use or indemnity agreement for the use of county roads by certain overweight vehicles.
Referred to Transportation Committee, 3/11/99
Comments: The Commissioners' Court may require a road use or indemnity agreement to be executed by the owner or operator of a vehicle under Section 623.018 or 623.011 of the Transportation Code. Said agreement may provide that the person described assumes the liability for any damage caused by the vehicle to a county road or bridge. Proposed effective date: September 1, 1999.
HB 2794: Gutierrez Safety-Inspection
Relating to the automation of the compulsory motor vehicle inspection system.
Reported favorably without amendment, Public Safety Committee, 4/6/99
Comments: TxDOT shall develop and administer procedures to automate the compulsory motor vehicle inspection system, which shall be secure.
HB 3061: Hill Weight Limits-Permits
Relating to the issuance of permits for the operation of certain vehicles that exceed maximum size or weight limitations.
Left pending in Transportation Committee, 4/6/99
Comments: Continues the use of the 2060 permit and adds that it does not allow TxDOT to charge a governmental entity a fee for said permit.
HB 3063: Hill Weight Limits-Permits
Relating to the issuance of permits for the operation of certain vehicles that exceed maximum allowable weight limitations; providing criminal penalties.
Referred to Transportation Committee, 3/15/99
Comments: Applies to ready-mix concrete trucks and vehicles transporting recyclable materials. Provides for a permit according to weight of vehicle. Also clarifies the code in that interstate and defense highways are governed by 23 USC Section 127 and that the state cannot alter the size of weight of vehicle traveling over those roads contrary to the U.S. code.
HB 3082: Telford Taxes-Motor Fuels
Relating to the collection of motor fuel tax; providing penalties.
Scheduled for Public Hearing, Ways & Means Committee, 4/14/99
Comments: Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association's Motor Fuel Tax Bill. Rewrites Chapter 153, Tax Code, regarding motor fuel tax collection, to limit the ability to commit fraud and otherwise avoid or not comply with motor fuel tax collection.
Applies to dyed diesel fuel and any undyed diesel fuel or blended fuel. Provides for collection procedures, reporting and penalties.
HB 3747: Dukes Hazardous Materials
Relating to the transport of hazardous materials through cities.
Referred to Transportation Committee, 3/18/99
Comments: Defines city under the act as an area which contains more than 500,000 people and allows for routing and control of transportation hours.
HCR 19: Oliveira Border-Inspection
Relating to "one-stop" truck inspection facilities at the Texas-Mexico border.
Adopted in House; received by Senate, 4/9/99
Comments: Urges one-stop truck inspection facilities under the National Corridor Planning and Development Program and the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program. This resolution anticipates the adoption of NAFTA.
SB 681: Duncan, Shapleigh Border-Economy
Relating to the development of an intermodal transportation hub for economic development in certain municipalities.
Engrossed in Senate; referred to House State, Federal & International Relations Committee, 4/8/99
Comments: Any city along the Texas-Mexico border with a population of more than 500,000 may establish associations or corporations for an intermodal transportation hub.
SB 986: Nixon Motor Vehicles-Enforcement
Relating to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
Referred to State Affairs subcommittee on Infrastructure by Chairman, 3/11/99
Comments: Provides that it is a defense to prosecution for an offense under Section 522.011 of the Transportation Code that the person was driving a commercial motor vehicle as defined by Section 522.003 (5) (A) or (B) with an actual gross weight of less than 26,001 pounds; and not disqualified or subject to an out-of-service order.
SB 1306: Brown Hazardous Waste
Relating to the definition of hazardous waste.
Natural Resources Committee Report printed and distributed, 4/6/99
Comments: Hazardous waste means a solid waste or a combination of solid waste, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious, irreversible or incapacitating irreversible illness; pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of or otherwise managed.
Please keep this document as a reference guide for future legislative
analysis circular letters. If you have any questions or comments, please
call the Association at (512) 472-6207.
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