AUSTIN, Texas — House Bill 799, aimed at reducing overpass strikes, has been fully enacted by the Texas Legislature.
The bill, authored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf, will now go to Governor Greg Abbott where it will become law unless he vetoes it.
The bill would hold drivers or their employers liable for any damage caused when an overpass is struck by an over-height semi-truck. Additionally, the driver of the vehicle could be charged with a misdemeanor crime.
TxDOT says there were at least 82 overpass strikes in 2018, compared to the average of 31 strikes a year from 2013 to 2017.
"I'm grateful to my colleagues for supporting what is clearly a common sense measure that will hold vehicle owners strictly liable for the cost of the repairs so that taxpayers aren't stuck footing the bill," Landgraf said.
If the bill goes through it will take effect on September 1.