H.B. No. 4797
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 Subsections (e) and (f), 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.
(f) For a roadway that is subject to a comprehensive
development agreement entered into by the department or a public
toll project entity under which a private participant is
responsible for maintaining the roadway, the private participant is
responsible for requiring each employee or contractor of the
private participant who develops and supervises a plan for roadway
treatment to complete the training required by Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4797 was passed by the House on April
21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 4797 on May 17, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0,
1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4797 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 15, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor