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 the law or applicable federal safety regulations. This change aims to ensure that enforcement actions are based on reasonable suspicion rather than arbitrary decisions.

The bill also clarifies the roles of noncommissioned employees in the enforcement process, stipulating that they may only take enforcement actions under the supervision of a commissioned officer if their inspections warrant such actions. The amendments to Sections 621.402 and 644.103 reflect these changes, emphasizing the importance of probable cause in the enforcement of vehicle weight regulations and compliance with safety standards. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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