Sec. 644.051.  AUTHORITY TO ADOPT RULES.  (a)  The director shall, after notice and a public hearing, adopt rules regulating:
(1)  the safe transportation of hazardous materials;  and
(2)  the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles.
(b)  A rule adopted under this chapter must be consistent with federal regulations, including federal safety regulations.
(c)  The director may adopt all or part of the federal safety regulations by reference.
(d)  Rules adopted under this chapter must ensure that:
(1)  a commercial motor vehicle is safely maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated;
(2)  the responsibilities imposed on a commercial motor vehicle's operator do not impair the operator's ability to operate the vehicle safely;  and
(3)  the physical condition of a commercial motor vehicle's operator enables the operator to operate the vehicle safely.
(e)  A motor carrier safety rule adopted by a local government, authority, or state agency or officer must be consistent with corresponding federal regulations.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.151(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.