H.B. No. 1384 amends the Transportation Code to enhance the enforcement of standards for commercial motor vehicles by introducing the requirement of "probable cause" for various enforcement actions. Specifically, it stipulates that weight enforcement officers, municipal police officers, sheriffs, and noncommissioned employees of the Department of Public Safety must have probable cause to believe that a vehicle or its operator is in violation of the law before they can stop, enter, detain, or weigh the vehicle. 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, allowing them to conduct inspections and take enforcement actions only under the supervision of a commissioned officer if they find violations. This provision is intended to maintain oversight and accountability in the enforcement process. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, thereby providing a timeline for the implementation of these new standards.

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