82R3385 JAM-D
By: Veasey H.B. No. 641
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to insurance requirements for certain contract carriers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 644.054(b), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(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 for each vehicle:
(A) liability insurance in the amount of $3
[$1.5] million [for each vehicle]; and
(B) uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
in the amount of $300,000; 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, 2011.