TWT H.B. 1907 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
H.B. 1907
By: Siebert
4-4-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Texas law authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to
have reciprocal agreements with other states for issuing oversize and
overweight vehicle permits.  Current law also requires the TXDOT to
designate one or more agents who shall be available at all times to issue
a permit for moving certain heavy equipment. In order to obtain a permit,
a written application must be completed, a bond must be filed with the
TXDOT and a permit fee must be paid. 

PURPOSE

H.B. 1907 will authorize the TXDOT to contract with third-parties to
process permit applications and distribute issued multi-state permits;
authorize acceptance of payment by electronic funds transfer and credit
card for all oversize and overweight vehicle permits; clarify content of
oversize and overweight vehicle application and permit; and other
technical changes. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly grants additional
rulemaking authority to the Texas Transportation Commission in Sections 2
and 5 in Sections 621.356 and 623.076(b). 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 621.003, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsections (d) and (e) to authorize the TXDOT to contract with
third-parties to process and distribute issued multi-jurisdictional
permits.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 621, Transportation Code, by
adding Sec. 621.356 authorizing the commission to adopt rules so the TXDOT
to accept payment by credit card or electronic funds transfer for all
oversize and overweight vehicle permits.  

SECTION 3.  Repeals Section 623.073, Transportation Code, which requires
that an agent be available at all times to issue a permit. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 623.074 (b) and (c), Transportation Code, to
clarify that the dimensions of a vehicle must be provided to the TXDOT on
an application for permit, and simplify the application by explicitly
authorizing the TXDOT to collect route information rather than the
current, "distance over which the equipment is operated."  

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 623.076(b), Transportation Code, to clarify
that the commission can adopt rules to authorize the use of electronic
fund transfers. 

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 623.080(b), Transportation Code, to clarify the
content of a permit issued by the TXDOT and conform to the changes in
Section 4. 

SECTION 7.  Amends Section 623.081(c), Transportation Code, to make
technical revisions necessary to be consistent with Section 3 of this
bill. 

SECTION 8.  Repeals Section 623.125, Transportation Code, which required
the TXDOT to have  one or more agents in every county, to reflect that
permits are issued from a central location. 

SECTION 9.  Emergency Clause.