SRC-JBJ S.B. 492 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 492
77R3871 JD-DBy: Duncan
State Affairs
2/7/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, operators of certain overweight trucks may request
a permit to operate their vehicles at weights in excess of legal standards,
including on bridges that have been posted with a load limit.  As proposed,
S.B. 492 prohibits the crossing of load-zoned bridges unless the bridge is
on the only public roadway that the operator can use from its point of
origin to its destination. 
        
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 623.011(c), Transportation Code, to delete
existing text regarding authorization of the operation of certain vehicles
on certain interstates and highways. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 623B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
623.0113, as follows: 

Sec. 623.0113.  ROUTE RESTRICTIONS; EXCEPTION.  (a)  Provides that a permit
issued under Section 623.011 does not authorize the operation of the
vehicle for which the permit is issued on: 

    _the national system of interstate and defense highways in this state
if the weight of the vehicle is greater than authorized by federal law; or 

    _a bridge for which a maximum weight and load limit have been
established and posted by the Texas Transportation Commission (commission)
under Section 621.102 or the commissioners court of a county under Section
621.301, if the gross weight of the vehicle and load or the axles and wheel
loads are greater than the limits established and posted under those
sections. 

(b)  Provides that a restriction under Subsection (a)(2) does not apply if
the bridge is along the only public highway or road that the vehicle for
which the permit is issued can use to travel from its point of origin to
its destination. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.