By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 320
(In the Senate - Filed January 16, 2015; February 2, 2015,
read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation;
April 30, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 3; April 30, 2015,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 320 By: Ellis
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the enforcement of certain motor vehicle weight and
safety standards.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 621.402, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) The Department of Public Safety:
(1) shall establish by rule uniform weighing
procedures for weight enforcement officers to ensure an accurate
weight is obtained for a motor vehicle; and
(2) may revoke or rescind the authority of:
(A) a weight enforcement officer who fails to
comply with those rules; or
(B) weight enforcement officers of a municipal
police department, sheriff's department, or constable's office that
fails to comply with those rules.
SECTION 2. Section 644.101(b), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) A police officer of any of the following municipalities
is eligible to apply for certification under this section:
(1) a municipality with a population of 50,000 or
more;
(2) a municipality with a population of 25,000 or more
any part of which is located in a county with a population of
500,000 or more;
(3) a municipality with a population of less than
25,000:
(A) any part of which is located in a county with
a population of 3.3 million; and
(B) that contains or is adjacent to an
international port;
(4) a municipality with a population of at least
34,000 that is located in a county that borders two or more states;
(5) a municipality any part of which is located in a
county bordering the United Mexican States;
(6) a municipality with a population of less than
5,000 that is located:
(A) adjacent to a bay connected to the Gulf of
Mexico; and
(B) in a county adjacent to a county with a
population greater than 3.3 million;
(7) a municipality that is located:
(A) within 25 miles of an international port; and
(B) in a county that does not contain a highway
that is part of the national system of interstate and defense
highways and is adjacent to a county with a population greater than
3.3 million; [or]
(8) a municipality with a population of less than
8,500 that:
(A) is the county seat; and
(B) contains a highway that is part of the
national system of interstate and defense highways; or
(9) a municipality located in a county with a
population between 60,000 and 66,000 adjacent to a bay connected to
the Gulf of Mexico.
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, 2015.
* * * * *