SB 1135 modifies civil liability rules for commercial motor vehicle owners and operators. It updates provisions of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to clarify when evidence of non-compliance with regulations can be introduced in court. The bill states that an employer defendant’s liability for the negligence of a commercial vehicle operator will be based solely on the doctrine of respondeat superior if the employer admits that the driver was an employee acting within the scope of employment at the time of the incident. This limits the ability of plaintiffs to bring separate negligence claims against the employer beyond those related to the employee’s actions​.