The Texas Legislature has signed off on a bill that would close a loophole in state law that prevents law enforcement from cracking down on tarping laws.

House lawmakers gave their final approval May 27. The bill, which previously passed the Senate, now moves to Gov. Rick Perry for his signature.

Current Texas law requires truck drivers to cover loose loads with a tarp. However, for any trucker to be found in violation of the rule, an officer is required to actually see something, such as sand, gravel or dirt, fall out of a truck.

The way the law is written, a truck driver can haul a load legally without being tarped or covered, as long as it’s not blowing or spilling. Once a trucks load starts falling out, that is a violation.

HB754 would allow police to ticket anyone not covering their load with a tarp, whether it’s in the process of spilling out or not.

The bill would also allow judges to increase fines for violations. If signed into law, it would take effect Sept. 1, 2005.