6/21/05-Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill June 17 to override some idling rules in the state. The new law takes effect Sept. 1.
It allows truckers to idle their rigs during HOS-mandated rest periods until September 2007. This date corresponds with stringent diesel emission reductions slated to start at that time.
The new rule, previously HB1540, also prohibits and limits adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
It overrides a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that outlaws idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Existing state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
The new rule does not change that.
It also prohibits idling while using a vehicle’s sleeper berth within 1,000 feet of a public school while class is in session. Violators could be fined up to $500.

5/19/05-The Legislature has signed off on a bill that would override some idling rules in the state. The approval clears the way for the bill to head to Gov. Rick Perry for his signature.
HB1540, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, would prohibit and limit adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
If signed into law, it would override a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that outlaws idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Current state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
The bill would not change that.
An amendment added by Bonnen would add a two-year sunset to the measure to correspond with stringent diesel emission reductions slated to start in September of 2007.
Another provision added to the bill prohibits idling while using a vehicle’s sleeper berth within 1,000 feet of a public school while class is in session. Violators could be fined up to $500.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

5/17/05-The Senate voted 29-1 May 16 to advance a bill that would override some five-minute idling rules in Texas. It has been sent back to the House for approval of changes before heading to Gov. Rick Perry.
HB1540, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, would prohibit and limits adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
If signed into law, it would override a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that outlaws any idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Current state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
The bill would not change that.
An amendment added by Bonnen would add a two-year sunset to the measure to correspond with stringent diesel emission reductions slated to start in September of 2007.
Another provision added to the bill prohibits idling while using a vehicle’s sleeper berth within 1,000 feet of a public school while class is in session. Violators could be fined up to $500.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

5/11/05-The Senate Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill May 6 that would override some five-minute idling rules in the state.
HB1540, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, would prohibit and limit adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
It now heads to the full Senate for further consideration. It passed the House last month.
If approved by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry, the law would override a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that outlaws any idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Current state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
The bill would not change that.
An amendment added by Bonnen would add a two-year sunset to the measure to correspond with stringent diesel emission reductions slated to start in September of 2007.
Another provision added to the bill prohibits idling while using a vehicle’s sleeper berth within 1,000 feet of a public school while class is in session. Violators could be fined up to $500.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

4/19/05-The House voted on April 12 to approve a bill that would allow truckers for the next two years to idle their rigs for government-mandated rest periods.
HB1540, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, would prohibit and limit adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
If approved by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry, the law would override a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that would outlaw any idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Current state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
The bill would not change that.
An amendment added by Bonnen while in committee would add a two-year sunset to the measure to correspond with stringent diesel emission reductions slated to start in September of 2007.
Another amendment added prior to the House floor vote prohibits idling while using a vehicle’s sleeper berth within 1,000 feet of a public school. Violators could be fined up to $500.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

4/1/05-The House Environmental Regulation Committee voted 7-0 March 29 in favor of a bill that would allow truckers for the next two years to idle their rigs for government-mandated rest periods. It now heads to full House for further consideration.
HB1540, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, would prohibit and limit adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
If approved by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry, the law would override a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that would outlaw any idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Current state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
Bonnen’s bill would not change that.
An amendment offered by Bonnen and approved by the panel would add a two-year sunset to the measure to correspond with stringent diesel emission reductions starting in 2007.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

3/24/05-The House Environmental Regulation committee is reviewing a bill that would allow truckers to idle their rigs for government-mandated rest periods.
HB1540, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, would prohibit and limit adoption or enforcement of rules that ban trucks and other vehicles from idling when necessary to power a heater or air conditioner while a driver is using the vehicle’s sleeper berth for a mandated rest period.
If approved by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry, the law would override a recent Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruling permitting cities to opt into a rule that would outlaw any idling for more than five minutes for any reason in a truck.
Current state law prohibits idling for longer than five minutes from April 1 to Oct. 31 in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.
Bonnen’s bill would not change that.
An amendment offered by Bonnen, R-Angleton, the bill’s sponsor, would add a two-year sunset to the measure to correspond with stringent diesel emission reductions starting in 2007.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.