BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1418
88R20431 DIO-D	By: LaMantia
	Transportation
	3/29/2023
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1418 would amend the Transportation Code by connecting an overweight corridor between the 13-mile thoroughfare between Military Highway 281/FM 509 (Cameron County) and Military Highway 281/FM 1015 (Hidalgo County).

This change is needed due to growing violence and unsafe areas in Mexico, near and around the Los Indios International Bridge. Because of the unsafe environment, most truckers are now taking a detour and traveling along the 13-mile stretch of Military Highway 281.

Since this 13-mile stretch along Military Highway 281 has not been designated as part of the overweight corridor, this has resulted in a tremendous increase in fines for tractor trailer drivers and operators doing business at the Port of Harlingen.

S.B. 1418 will allow drivers permitted access to the Pharr International Bridge from the Port of Harlingen without the risk of fines or safety.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 1418 amends current law relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties.

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 623.219(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC), with the consent of the port authority, for a permit issued by the port authority located in a county that borders the United Mexican States:

(1)  is required to designate the most direct route from:

(A) the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville using State Highways 48 and 4 or United States Highways 77 and 83 or using United States Highway 77 and United States Highway 83, East Loop Corridor, and State Highway 4; and

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(B) the Free Trade International Bridge to:

(i)-(v) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subparagraphs; and

(vi) the western Cameron County line using Farm-to-Market Road 509 and United States Highway 281; and

(2) is authorized to designate another route in consultation with the port authority.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 623.363(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Authorizes TTC to authorize a regional mobility authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo in Hidalgo County on:

(1) the following roads:

(A)-(F) makes no changes to these paragraphs;

(G) U.S. Highway 281 between its intersection with the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and its intersection with the eastern Hidalgo County line, rather than with Spur 29;

(H)-(M) makes no changes to these paragraphs; or

(2) makes no changes to this subdivision.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.