88R14362 DRS-F
By: Martinez H.B. No. 5151
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of certain contract carriers and
subcontractors of contract carriers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 644.054, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) In this section, "contract carrier" includes a
subcontractor of a contract carrier.
(a-1) This section applies only to a contract carrier that
transports an operating employee of a railroad on a road or highway
of this state in a vehicle designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers.
(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 liability insurance in the amount of $3 [$1.5] million for
each vehicle; 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, 2023.