BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1364
88R13083 JRR-D	By: Alvarado
	Transportation
	3/21/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Electric semitrucks weigh more than comparable diesel trucks due to the increased weight of their batteries. Consequently, electric trucks must reduce cargo loads to remain within the current Texas gross weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Reducing loads can cause revenue loss for carriers operating electric semitrucks.

S.B. 1364 increases the maximum gross vehicle weight for electric semitrucks to 82,000 pounds. The bill allows electric and natural gas semitrucks to exceed the current overall gross weight limit for comparable conventional fuel vehicles by up to 2,000 pounds.

In the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019, Congress increased the federal overall gross weight limit for electric and natural gas vehicles on the Interstate Highway System to 82,000 pounds. The bill will establish electric semitruck weight provisions that align with current federal law.

As proposed, S.B. 1364 amends current law relating to weight limitations for certain natural gas or electric vehicles.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 621.101(b-1), Transportation Code, as follows:

(b-1) Authorizes a vehicle, notwithstanding any other provision of Section 621.101 (Maximum Weight of Vehicle or Combination), that is powered by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas or powered primarily by means of electric battery power to exceed the gross weight limitation under this section for the vehicle by up to 2,000 pounds, provided that the maximum gross weight of the vehicle is prohibited from exceeding 82,000 pounds. Deletes existing text authorizing a vehicle or combination of vehicles, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, that is powered by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas to exceed any weight limitation under this section by an amount that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, provided that the maximum gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is prohibited from exceeding 82,000 pounds.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.