BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

On March 8, 2021, Kelly Hall, a constituent of mine, was killed when a trailer became unhitched on the highway near Tyler. About one year earlier, Kelly's brother was killed on a Texas highway in a similar accident involving an unhitched trailer. In the accident that killed Mrs. Hall, the Department of Public Safety report showed the trailer had not been properly attached to the hitch.

H.B. 1198 seeks to address the lack of general public knowledge on how to properly attach a trailer, how to make sure a trailer is properly attached, and general trailer safety.

H.B. 1198 does this by directing the Texas Department of Transportation to create a public safety campaign instructing the public on proper ways to attach trailers and trailer safety.

H.B. 1198 amends current law relating to a public awareness campaign to promote the proper attachment of trailers to certain motor vehicles.

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 Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.625, as follows:

Sec. 201.625. TRAILER ATTACHMENT CAMPAIGN. (a) Defines "passenger car."

(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to develop and implement a public awareness campaign to promote the proper attachment of a trailer to a passenger car and raise awareness regarding the potential consequences of failing to attach a trailer properly.

(c) Authorizes TxDOT, in implementing the campaign, to engage in online advocacy, issue public service announcements, and distribute material relating to the campaign.

(d) Authorizes TxDOT to pay the costs of the campaign and its administration from:

(1) gifts, grants, or donations;

(2) matching funds; and

(3) other funds made available for that purpose, including available TxDOT revenue.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.