BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1741
88R14648 DIO-D	By: Zaffirini
	Transportation
	3/20/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2014 the Legislature passed H.B. 2861 designating specific highways and roads as an overweight corridor for commercial trucks crossing the United States-Mexico border. Since that time, however, increased commerce has resulted in more transit to the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge via routes that are not a part of the overweight corridor. This results in a highly inefficient process in which oversized loads are dividing their shipments among multiple trucks before crossing the border in Laredo.

S.B. 1741 would grant the City of Laredo permitting authority for overweight and overside along SH 255 between the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1472, and Farm-to-Market Road 3338 between SH 255 and Farm-to-Market Road 1472. This change would reduce traffic congestion and promote the smoother cross-border commerce the Legislature intended, leading to reduced costs for companies and consumers.

As proposed, S.B. 1741 amends current law relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in Webb County.

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 623.382(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to authorize the City of Laredo to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo in Webb County on certain roadways, including State Highway 255 between the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1472, and Farm-to-Market Road 3338 between its intersection with State Highway 255 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1472. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.