By: Hagenbuch S.B. No. 2807
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the considerations when determining whether an operator
of a motor vehicle is an employee of a motor carrier or an
independent contractor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 7, Transportation Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 644A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 644A. MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT: EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Sec. 644A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Motor carrier" has the meaning assigned by
Section 643.001.
(2) "Motor carrier safety improvement" means any:
(A) device, equipment, software, or technology
that is intended and primarily used to improve or facilitate:
(i) compliance with traffic safety or motor
carrier safety laws;
(ii) safety of a motor vehicle;
(iii) safety of an operator of a motor
vehicle; and
(iv) safety of third-party users of public
roadways; or
(B) procedure, training, policy, program, or
operational practice related to any device, equipment, software, or
technology described by Paragraph (A).
Sec. 644A.002. EMPLOYMENT STATUS. The deployment,
implementation, or use of a motor carrier safety improvement by or
as required by a motor carrier or a related entity, including
through contract, may not be considered when determining whether
the operator of a motor vehicle is an employee or joint employee of
the motor carrier or an independent contractor for purposes of
state law.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.