H.B. No. 1384 amends the Transportation Code to enhance the enforcement of standards for commercial motor vehicles by establishing a requirement for "probable cause" before certain enforcement actions can be taken. Specifically, it allows weight enforcement officers, certified noncommissioned employees of the Department of Public Safety, municipal police officers, sheriffs, and deputy sheriffs to stop, enter, or detain a motor vehicle only if they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle or its operator is in violation of applicable laws or regulations. This change aims to ensure that enforcement actions are based on reasonable suspicion rather than arbitrary decisions.

The bill also clarifies the authority of noncommissioned employees to weigh vehicles and take enforcement actions at commercial motor vehicle inspection sites, stipulating that such actions must be conducted under the supervision of a commissioned officer. The amendments to Sections 621.402 and 644.103 reflect these changes, emphasizing the necessity of probable cause in various enforcement scenarios. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 621.402, Transportation Code 644.103 (Transportation Code 621, Transportation Code 644)