Relating to transporting an unsecured load; creating a criminal offense.

SB 1480 makes it a criminal offense to transport an unsecured load that falls onto a roadway or creates an immediate danger while moving on public roads. It directly affects drivers and transporters of vehicles carrying cargo, with specific exemptions for construction equipment moving between barricades, agricultural products in natural state on specialized vehicles, and commercial vehicles regulated under federal rules (unless a peace officer witnesses an imminent hazard or investigates a load fall). Key provisions require vehicles to prevent loads from becoming loose or hazardous, mandate enclosed beds for loose materials with side panels and front barriers, and define the offense under two clear scenarios. The bill updates Texas Transportation Code Chapter 725 to explicitly address unsecured loads, removing prior ambiguity around "loose materials."