The Texas Department of Public Safety (the department) adopts amendments to §4.12, concerning Exemptions and Exceptions. This rule is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 7, 2020, issue of the Texas Register (45 TexReg 873). The rule will not be republished.

The adopted amendments harmonize updates to 49 CFR with those laws adopted by Texas. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration granted an exemption for interstate drivers of waste and recycle vehicles utilizing the short term hours of service exemption. This exemption allows them to return to their primary work-reporting location within 14 hours instead of the previous rule of 12 hours. This amendment adopts this same exemption for intrastate waste and recycling vehicle drivers.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this rule.

This rule is adopted pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, §644.051, which authorizes the director to adopt rules regulating the safe transportation of hazardous materials and the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles; and authorizes the director to adopt all or part of the federal safety regulations, by reference.