SRC-ARR H.B. 1538 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1538 76R5964 JD-FBy: Uher (Cain) Infrastructure 5/10/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Under current law, the permitting system for a carrier to operate oversize and superheavy equipment is "vehicle-specific" in that each permit is issued to a specific vehicle and is nontransferable unless the vehicle is destroyed. The purpose of this legislation is to allow a motor carrier to obtain an annual permit to operate an oversize or superheavy vehicle if the vehicle is properly registered, rather than obtaining a permit for each specific vehicle. H.B. 1538 would set forth requirements for the issuance of annual permits to move certain superheavy or oversize equipment on a state highway by the Texas Department of Transportation. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1538 sets forth requirements for the issuance of annual permits to move certain superheavy or oversize equipment on a state highway by the Texas Department of Transportation. 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 Sections 623.071(d)-(g), Transportation Code, to authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to issue an annual permit to a motor carrier, as defined by Section 643.001, that allows the motor carrier to operate on a state highway two or more vehicles for the movement of superheavy or oversize equipment described by Subsection (c)(3). Requires an application under this section to be on the form prescribed by the department and include a description of each vehicle to be operated by the motor carrier under the permit. Sets forth requirements for a permit. Deletes existing subsection (g), regarding a report. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 623.076(c), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3 Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.