85R12857 AAF-D     By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 3500       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power   lines; creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 545.157(a), Transportation Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  This section applies only to the following vehicles:                (1)  a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using   visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and   547.702;                (2)  a stationary tow truck using equipment authorized   by Section 547.305(d); [and]                (3)  a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle not   separated from the roadway by a traffic control channelizing device   and using visual signals that comply with the standards and   specifications adopted under Section 547.105; and                (4)  a vehicle used in the maintenance of an electrical   power line and using visual signals that comply with the standards   and specifications adopted under Section 547.105.          SECTION 2.  Sections 547.105(a) and (b), Transportation   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt   standards and specifications that:                (1)  apply to lamps on highway maintenance and service   equipment, including snow-removal equipment, and to vehicles used   in the maintenance of electrical power lines; and                (2)  correlate with and conform as closely as possible   to standards and specifications approved by the American   Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.          (b)  The Texas Department of Transportation may adopt   standards and specifications for lighting that permit the use of   flashing lights for identification purposes on highway maintenance   and service equipment, including snow-removal equipment, and for   vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power lines.          SECTION 3.  The Texas Department of Transportation shall   adopt standards and specifications relating to lamps and lighting   on vehicles used in the maintenance of electrical power lines, as   required by Section 547.105, Transportation Code, as amended by   this Act, not later than October 1, 2017.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.