1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the issuance by the Texas Department of Transportation
1-3 of annual permits to move certain superheavy or oversize equipment
1-4 on a state highway.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Sections 623.071(d)-(g), Transportation Code, are
1-7 amended to read as follows:
1-8 (d) The department may issue an annual permit to a motor
1-9 carrier, as defined by Section 643.001, that allows the motor
1-10 carrier to operate on a state highway two or more vehicles for the
1-11 movement of superheavy or oversize equipment described by
1-12 Subsection (c)(3). An application under this subsection must be on
1-13 the form prescribed by the department and include a description of
1-14 each vehicle to be operated by the motor carrier under the permit.
1-15 A permit issued under this subsection:
1-16 (1) may not authorize the operation of more than one
1-17 vehicle at the same time; and
1-18 (2) must be carried in the vehicle that is being
1-19 operated to move the superheavy or oversize equipment under the
1-20 permit.
1-21 (e) The department may not issue a permit under this section
1-22 unless the equipment may be operated without material damage to the
1-23 highway.
1-24 (f) [(e)] In this section, "pipe box" means a container
2-1 specifically constructed to safely transport and handle oilfield
2-2 drill pipe and drill collars.
2-3 (g) [(f)] A single trip permit that increases the height or
2-4 width limits established in Subsection (c)(3)(B)(i) or (ii) may be
2-5 issued by the department and used in conjunction with an annual
2-6 permit issued under Subsection (c).
2-7 [(g) The department shall submit to the lieutenant governor
2-8 and speaker of the house of representatives by December 1 of each
2-9 even-numbered year a report describing the cumulative effects on
2-10 the state highway system, including county roads, of permits issued
2-11 under Subsection (c)(3) during the previous two-year period.]
2-12 SECTION 2. Section 623.076(c), Transportation Code, is
2-13 amended to read as follows:
2-14 (c) An application for a permit under Section 623.071(c)(3)
2-15 or (d) must be accompanied by the permit fee established by the
2-16 commission for the permit, not to exceed $3,500. Of each fee
2-17 collected under this subsection, the department shall send:
2-18 (1) the first $1,000 to the comptroller for deposit to
2-19 the credit of the general revenue fund; and
2-20 (2) any amount in excess of $1,000 to the comptroller
2-21 for deposit to the credit of the state highway fund.
2-22 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-23 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-24 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-25 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-26 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-27 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1538 was passed by the House on April
21, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1538 was passed by the Senate on May
26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor