HB3545 - Relating to the regulation of certain contract carriers and subcontractors of contract carriers.

  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.