85R12857 AAF-D
By: Lozano H.B. No. 3612
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power
lines; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 545.157(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) This section applies only to the following vehicles:
(1) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using
visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and
547.702;
(2) a stationary tow truck using equipment authorized
by Section 547.305(d); [and]
(3) a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle not
separated from the roadway by a traffic control channelizing device
and using visual signals that comply with the standards and
specifications adopted under Section 547.105; and
(4) a vehicle used in the maintenance of an electrical
power line and using visual signals that comply with the standards
and specifications adopted under Section 547.105.
SECTION 2. Sections 547.105(a) and (b), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt
standards and specifications that:
(1) apply to lamps on highway maintenance and service
equipment, including snow-removal equipment, and to vehicles used
in the maintenance of electrical power lines; and
(2) correlate with and conform as closely as possible
to standards and specifications approved by the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation may adopt
standards and specifications for lighting that permit the use of
flashing lights for identification purposes on highway maintenance
and service equipment, including snow-removal equipment, and for
vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power lines.
SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Transportation shall
adopt standards and specifications relating to lamps and lighting
on vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power lines, as
required by Section 547.105, Transportation Code, as amended by
this Act, not later than October 1, 2017.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.