85R12857 AAF-D By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 1874 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.