SRC-HRD S.B. 1276 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1276 By: Lucio Internatinoal Relations, Trade & Technology 4-21-97 As Filed DIGEST S.B. 1276 would authorize a port authority to collect a fee for issuing permits for oversize or overweight trucks carrying cargo in certain areas of Texas. This bill would require such a permit to specify the time in which movement authorized by the permit is allowed. This bill would require permit fee revenues to be used for the maintenance of roads and bridges. In addition, S.B. 1487 would prohibit movement authorized by permit from exceeding 55 miles per hour or the posted limit, whichever is less. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1276 allows a port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo through counties that have a boundary that is contiguous to the Republic of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, and to collect a fee for the issuance of such permits. This bill requires fees collected from the issuance of permits to be used for the maintenance of roads and bridges. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 623, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows: SUBCHAPTER K. PORT AUTHORITY PERMITS Sec. 623.210. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. Provides that this subchapter provides an optional procedure for issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state, county, or municipal roads located in counties that have a boundary that is contiguous to the Republic of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. Sec. DEFINITION. Defines "port authority." Sec. 623.212. PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY. Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to authorize a port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state, county, or municipal roads located in counties that have a boundary that is contiguous to the Republic of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. Sec. 623.213. MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. Requires a port authority issuing permits under this subchapter to contract with the appropriate state agency, political subdivision, or road district for the maintenance of roads and bridges subject to this subchapter. Sec. 632.214. PERMIT FEES. Authorizes a port authority to collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter. Requires a fee collected under Subsection (a) to be used for the maintenance of roads and bridges pursuant to maintenance contracts created under Section 632.213. Sec. 632.215. PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. Requires a permit issued under this subchapter to include certain information. Requires a port authority to report to the department all permits issued under this subchapter. Sec. 623.216. TIME OF MOVEMENT. Requires a permit issued under this subchapter to specify the time in which movement authorized by the permit is allowed. Sec. 623.217. SPEED LIMIT. Prohibits movement authorized by a permit issued under this subchapter from exceeding the posted speed limit or 55 miles per hour, whichever is less. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.