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 and certified noncommissioned employees of the Department of Public Safety to weigh vehicles or require them to be weighed only if they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle's weight is unlawful. This change is reflected in the amendments to Sections 621.402 and 644.103, where the phrase "probable cause" is inserted in place of "reason" and is emphasized as a necessary condition for various enforcement actions.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that officers, municipal police officers, sheriffs, and deputy sheriffs can only stop, enter, or detain a motor vehicle if they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle or its operator is violating the law or related regulations. This includes federal safety regulations. The amendments also clarify that noncommissioned employees can take enforcement actions only under the supervision of a commissioned officer if their inspections warrant such actions. The bill 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)