6/2/05-A bill that would have shifted the responsibility for container chassis from truck drivers to the ports that supply the chassis has died.
Sponsored by Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, the bill remained in the House Law Enforcement Committee at the deadline for House bills to advance to the Senate, effectively killing it for the year.
HB1989 would have required marine terminals in Texas that load and unload oceangoing vessels to check every intermodal chassis, the trailers that carry intermodal freight containers, before they leave a port.
Talton’s effort called for inspections that would check such items as brakes, suspension, tires and wheels, connecting devices, lights, and electrical system.
The measure would have allowed a driver to request that a chassis be reinspected by the Department of Transportation if he or she thinks it’s unsafe. Port employees, inspectors, owners, or lessees of intermodal chassis would have been prohibited from threatening, coercing, or otherwise retaliating against a driver of a chassis who requested reinspection or repair.
It also would have prohibited terminals from passing the buck for repairs on to drivers.
Any chassis provider found in violation would have been subject to a $500 fine per occurrence. If a provider were found to have at least two prior convictions for violations, the provider would have faced a $1,000 fine.

4/26/05-A bill in the House Law Enforcement Committee would shift the responsibility for container chassis from truck drivers to the ports that supply the chassis
HB1989, sponsored by Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, would require marine terminals in Texas that load and unload oceangoing vessels to check every intermodal chassis, the trailers that carry intermodal freight containers, before they leave a port.
The bill calls for inspections that would check such items as brakes, suspension, tires and wheels, connecting devices, lights, and electrical system.
It would allow a driver to request that a chassis be reinspected by the Department of Transportation if he or she thinks it’s unsafe. Port employees, inspectors, owners, or lessees of intermodal chassis would be prohibited from threatening, coercing, or otherwise retaliating against a driver of a chassis who requested reinspection or repair.
It also would prohibit terminals from passing the buck for repairs on to drivers.
Any chassis provider found in violation would be subject to a $500 fine per occurrence. If a provider is found to have at least two prior convictions for violations, the provider would face a $1,000 fine.
A hearing on the bill is scheduled in the panel Monday, May 2, at 1:30 p.m. in Room E1.014 of the Capitol building.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

3/14/05-A bill offered by Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, would shift the responsibility for container chassis from truck drivers to the ports that supply the chassis.
HB1989 would require marine terminals in Texas that load and unload oceangoing vessels to check every intermodal chassis, the trailers that carry intermodal freight containers, before they leave a port.
Talton’s effort calls for inspections that would check such items as brakes, suspension, tires and wheels, connecting devices, lights, and electrical system.
The measure would allow a driver to request that a chassis be reinspected by the Department of Transportation if he or she thinks it’s unsafe. Port employees, inspectors, owners, or lessees of intermodal chassis would be prohibited from threatening, coercing, or otherwise retaliating against a driver of a chassis who requested reinspection or repair.
It also would prohibit terminals from passing the buck for repairs on to drivers.
Any chassis provider found in violation would be subject to a $500 fine per occurrence. If a provider is found to have at least two prior convictions for violations, the provider would face a $1,000 fine.
The bill is awaiting assignment to a committee.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.