SRC-MKV, SEW S.B. 545 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 545
77R5587 JD-DBy: Brown, J. E. "Buster"
State Affairs
2/14/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas roads and bridges are suffering due to an increase of
traffic weight.  This is especially true for county roads, which are built
to support a typical weight of trucks and buses at 50,000 pounds, while
state roads are built to support 80,000 pounds, according to the Texas
Department of Transportation.  As proposed, S.B. 545 increases the fee to
obtain an overweight truck permit, doubles the bond or letter or credit
required for an overweight truck, requires the county's approval of the
truck route, and allows the county the option to file suit in its own
district court when damage to county roads occurs. 

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 623.0111(a), Transportation Code, to require a
person who applies for a permit under Section 623.011 to pay, in addition
to other fees, an annual fee in a certain amount determined according to a
standard table.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 623.012(b), Transportation Code, to change the
amount of the bond or the letter of credit payable to the Texas Department
of Transportation and the counties of this state from $15,000 to $30,000. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 623B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
623.0135, as follows: 

Sec. 623.0135.  APPROVAL OF ROUTE BY COUNTY.  Authorizes a holder of a
permit issued under Section 623.011 to operate the vehicle on a county road
or bridge or over a county culvert with a load limitation established under
Chapter 621B or Section 621.301 of a county designated in the permit
application only with the approval of the county judge, or a person
designated by the county judge. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 623.016(c), Transportation Code , to delete
language relating to a defendant who is a corporation or partnership and a
defendant who is a corporation or partnership that does not have a
principal place of business in this state. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.