TWT S.B. 1631 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS TRANSPORTATION S.B. 1631 By: Duncan (Siebert) 5-11-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, necessary technical corrections have been identified after close examination of the oversize and overweight permit statutes. It is believed that by clarifying the content of oversize and overweight vehicle applications and permits, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) efficiency would increase regarding the permit issuance process. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1631 authorizes Texas Department of Transportation to issue certain permits for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly grants additional rulemaking authority to the Texas Transportation Commission in Section 1 (Sec. 621.356, Transportation Code) and in Section 5 (Sec. 623.976(b)(1). SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 621.003, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to contract with a third-party to act as TxDOT's agent in the processing of a permit application and the distributions of a permit issued by the TxDOT under this section. Authorizes an agreement entered into under this section to provide for a third-party to act as the agent of each state in the processing of a permit application and the distribution of a permit issued by a state under this section. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 621E, Transportation Code, by adding Section 621.356, as follows: Sec. 621.356. FORM OF PAYMENT. Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt rules prescribing the methods for payment of a fee for a permit issued by TxDOT that authorizes the operation of certain vehicles. Authorizes the rules to contain certain specifications. 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 Sections 623.074(b) and (c), Transportation Code, to require the application to contain the weight and dimensions of the equipment. Provides that an application for a permit under Section 623.071(a), to state each highway, rather than each highway and the distance, over which the equipment is to be operated, if the permit is for a single-trip, or the region or area, as required by rule, over which the equipment is to be operated, if the permit is for other than a singletrip. SECTION 5. Amends Section 623.076(b), Transportation Code, to authorize the rules adopted under this section to authorize the use of electronic funds transfer. SECTION 6. Amends Section 623.080(b), Transportation Code, to clarify the content of a permit issued by the TXDOT and conform with the changes in Section 4. SECTION 7. Amends Section 623.081(c), Transportation Code, to require an applicant for a permit to provide by telephone to TxDOT, rather than an agent designated by TxDOT under Section 623.073. SECTION 8. Repeals Section 623.125, Transportation Code, which requires that the department shall have one or more agents in every county, to reflect that permits are issued from a central location. SECTION 9. Emergency clause.