AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The specific problem being addressed by this legislation is that the length of towing devices is being taken into account when calculating the length of the harvest machine being towed. The length restrictions in Section 621.205, Transportation Code, are resulting in an inordinate and overly burdensome number of trips on the road. Current law places a length limitation of 81-1/2 feet to non-interstate transportation of harvest machines. S.B. 1338 keeps the same 81-1/2 foot limitation, but for the harvest machines being towed, excluding the length of the vehicle towing the harvest machine. (Original Author’s/Sponsor’s Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 1338 amends current law relating to an exemption from length limitations for certain vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport harvest machines.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 622.902, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 622.902. LENGTH EXCEPTIONS. Provides that the length limitations provided by Sections 621.203 (Maximum Length of Motor Vehicle) to 621.205 (Maximum Length of Vehicle Combinations) do not apply to:
(1)-(6) Makes no change to these subdivisions;
(7) a vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport a harvest machine, rather than a combine, that is used in farm custom harvesting operations on a farm if the overall length of the vehicle or combination is not longer than a certain number of feet as set forth;
(8) a truck-tractor operated in combination with a semitrailer and trailer or semitrailer and semitrailer if:
(A) the combination is used to transport a harvest machine that is used in farm custom harvesting operations on a farm;
(B) the overall length of the combination, excluding the length of the truck-tractor, is not longer than 81-1/2 feet; and
(C) the combination is traveling on a highway that:
(i) is not part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or the federal aid primary highway system; and
(ii) is located in a county with a population of less than 50,000.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.