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.