AN ACT
1-1 relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversize
1-2 and overweight vehicles.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 621.003, Transportation Code, is amended
1-5 by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
1-6 (d) The department may contract with a third party to act as
1-7 the department's agent in the processing of a permit application
1-8 and the distribution of a permit issued by the department under
1-9 this section.
1-10 (e) An agreement entered into under this section may provide
1-11 for a third party to act as the agent of each state in the
1-12 processing of a permit application and the distribution of a permit
1-13 issued by a state under this section.
1-14 SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 621, Transportation Code,
1-15 is amended by adding Section 621.356 to read as follows:
1-16 Sec. 621.356. FORM OF PAYMENT. The commission may adopt
1-17 rules prescribing the method for payment of a fee for a permit
1-18 issued by the department that authorizes the operation of a vehicle
1-19 and its load or a combination of vehicles and load exceeding size
1-20 or weight limitations. The rules may:
1-21 (1) authorize the use of electronic funds transfer or
1-22 a credit card issued by:
1-23 (A) a financial institution chartered by a state
2-1 or the federal government; or
2-2 (B) a nationally recognized credit organization
2-3 approved by the commission; and
2-4 (2) require the payment of a discount or service
2-5 charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee.
2-6 SECTION 3. Section 623.073, Transportation Code, is
2-7 repealed.
2-8 SECTION 4. Subsections (b) and (c), Section 623.074,
2-9 Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
2-10 (b) The application must:
2-11 (1) be in writing;
2-12 (2) state the kind of equipment to be operated;
2-13 (3) describe the equipment;
2-14 (4) give the weight and dimensions of the equipment;
2-15 (5) state the kind of commodity to be transported and
2-16 the weight of the total load; and
2-17 (6) be dated and signed by the applicant.
2-18 (c) An application for a permit under Section 623.071(a) or
2-19 (b) must also also state:
2-20 (1) each highway [and the distance] over which the
2-21 equipment is to be operated, if the permit is for a single trip; or
2-22 (2) the region or area, as required by rule, over
2-23 which the equipment is to be operated, if the permit is for other
2-24 than a single trip.
2-25 SECTION 5. Subsection (b), Section 623.076, Transportation
3-1 Code, is amended to read as follows:
3-2 (b) The Texas Transportation Commission may adopt rules for
3-3 the payment of a fee under Subsection (a). The rules may:
3-4 (1) authorize the use of electronic funds transfer;
3-5 (2) authorize the use of a credit card issued by:
3-6 (A) a financial institution chartered by a state
3-7 or the United States; or
3-8 (B) a nationally recognized credit organization
3-9 approved by the Texas Transportation Commission; and
3-10 (3) [(2)] require the payment of a discount or service
3-11 charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee prescribed
3-12 by Subsection (a).
3-13 SECTION 6. Subsection (b), Section 623.080, Transportation
3-14 Code, is amended to read as follows:
3-15 (b) A permit issued under Section 623.071(a) or (b) must
3-16 also state:
3-17 (1) each highway [and the distance] over which the
3-18 equipment is to be transported, if the permit is for a single trip;
3-19 or
3-20 (2) the region or area, as required by rule, over
3-21 which the equipment is to be operated, if the permit is for other
3-22 than a single trip.
3-23 SECTION 7. Subsection (c), Section 623.081, Transportation
3-24 Code, is amended to read as follows:
3-25 (c) An applicant for a permit under this section must
4-1 provide by telephone to [an agent designated by] the department
4-2 [under Section 623.073]:
4-3 (1) the information required for a permit issued under
4-4 Section 623.071(a) or (b), other than the applicant's signature;
4-5 and
4-6 (2) the account number of a credit card approved by
4-7 the department.
4-8 SECTION 8. Section 623.125, Transportation Code, is
4-9 repealed.
4-10 SECTION 9. The importance of this legislation and the
4-11 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1631 passed the Senate on
April 24, 1997, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1631 passed the House on
May 16, 1997, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor