82R9539 JXC-F By: Darby H.B. No. 2960 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to farm vehicles and vehicles controlled and operated by farmers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 502.163(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A commercial motor vehicle may be registered under this section despite its use for transporting without charge the owner or a member of the owner's family: (1) to attend church or school; (2) to visit a doctor for medical treatment or supplies; [or] (3) for other necessities of the home or family; or (4) to participate in equine activities or attend livestock shows, as defined by Section 87.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. SECTION 2. Section 522.004(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) This chapter does not apply to: (1) a vehicle that is controlled and operated by a farmer and: (A) used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm; and (B) [used within 150 miles of the person's farm; and [(C)] not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; (2) a fire-fighting or emergency vehicle necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions, whether operated by an employee of a political subdivision or by a volunteer fire fighter; (3) a military vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle, when operated for military purposes by military personnel, including: (A) active duty military personnel, including personnel serving in the United States Coast Guard; and (B) members of the reserves and national guard on active duty, including personnel on full-time national guard duty, personnel engaged in part-time training, and national guard military technicians; (4) a recreational vehicle that is driven for personal use; (5) a vehicle that is owned, leased, or controlled by an air carrier, as defined by Section 21.155, and that is driven or operated exclusively by an employee of the air carrier only on the premises of an airport, as defined by Section 22.001, on service roads to which the public does not have access; or (6) a vehicle used exclusively to transport seed cotton modules or cotton burrs. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.