By: Romero, Jr., et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hancock) H.B. No. 4797
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 24, 2023;
May 1, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on
Transportation; May 11, 2023, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 11, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training on the treatment of toll project roadways
during inclement weather.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 372, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 372.059 to read as follows:
Sec. 372.059. TREATMENT OF TOLL ROADWAY DURING INCLEMENT
WEATHER. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a toll project
entity that treats a roadway maintained by the entity during icy or
snowy weather shall require each employee or contractor who
develops and supervises a plan for roadway treatment to complete a
training course on treating roadways during icy or snowy weather in
the same manner as a department employee who treats roadways during
icy or snowy weather.
(b) The department, in coordination with public toll
project entities:
(1) shall make training courses that the department
provides to department employees who develop and supervise plans
for roadway treatment available to a person required to receive
training under Subsection (a); and
(2) may adopt rules as necessary to implement this
section.
(c) The department, in coordination with toll project
entities, shall identify the types of employees and contractors who
are subject to the training requirements under Subsection (a).
(d) A training course described by Subsection (b) must
include instruction regarding:
(1) prioritizing treatment of elevated structures and
other roadway elements that pose the highest risk to public health
and safety during icy or snowy weather;
(2) timing of treatment of roadways during icy or
snowy weather; and
(3) treatment of general purpose lanes adjacent to a
toll project.
(e) The department may authorize a toll project entity to
require that an employee or contractor required to receive training
under Subsection (a) complete a training course provided by another
entity that includes substantially the same information as a course
provided by the department.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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