bill extending railroad crew van rules to subcontractors

The text as introduced · 282 words

89R9825 RDR-F

By: Martinez
H.B. No. 3545

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 commercial automobile liability insurance in the amount of

$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, 2025.