SRC-SEW C.S.S.B. 1809 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1809
By: Zaffirini
State Affairs
5/1/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, FM 1472 and Bob Bullock Loop (Loop 20) provide the most direct
route from IH-35 to the World Trade and Columbia Solidarity international
bridges and are within the city limits of Laredo. The Texas Department of
Transportation (department) issues permits to allow overweight trucks to
transport cargo over these roads, but the permits are not issued locally.
C.S.S.B. 1809 would allow the department to authorize the City of Laredo to
issue permits for overweight and oversize vehicles on FM 1472 and Bob
Bullock Loop.  

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 Chapter 623, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter
L, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER L.  CITY OF LAREDO PERMITS

Sec. 623.251.  PERMITS BY CITY OF LAREDO.  Authorizes the Texas Department
of Transportation (department) to authorize the City of Laredo to issue
permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo
on Farm-to-Market Road 1472 and the Bob Bullock Loop (Loop 20) from
Columbia Solidarity Bridge and the World Trade Bridge to Interstate Highway
35.  Prohibits the department from authorizing the issuance of a permit for
the movement of equipment and commodities with a gross weight of more than
125,000 pounds.  Sets guidelines for a permit issued under this section.   

Sec. 623.252.  MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS.  Requires the City of Laredo, issuing
permits under this chapter, to make payments to the department to provide
for the maintenance of state highways, subject to this subchapter.   
 
Sec. 623.253.  PERMIT FEES.  Provides that the amount of the fee for a
permit issued under this subchapter is the fee otherwise required for a
permit issued by the department under this chapter for the oversize or
overweight vehicle. Authorizes the City of Laredo, of each fee collected
for the issuance of a permit under this subchapter, to retain 15 percent to
defray administrative expenses and requires the city to send the remainder
to the department for deposit to the credit of the state highway fund.   

Sec. 623.254.  PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.  Requires a permit issued under this
subchapter to include certain items.  Requires the City of Laredo to report
to the department all permits issued under this subchapter. 

Sec. 623.255.  TIME OF MOVEMENT.  Requires a permit issued under this
subchapter to specify the time in which movement authorized by the permit
is allowed. 
  
Sec. 623.256.  SPEED LIMIT.  Prohibits movement authorized by a permit
issued under this subchapter from exceeding the lesser of the posted speed
limit or 55 miles per hour.  Provides that an offense under this subsection
is a Class C misdemeanor and a moving violation. 
 
Sec. 623.257.  ENFORCEMENT.  Authorizes the Department of Public Safety to
enforce this subchapter. 

 Sec. 623.258.  EXPIRATION.  Provides that this subchapter expires March 1,
2005. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends As Filed S.B. 1809 as follows:

SECTION 1.  Amends proposed new Chapter 623L, Transportation Code, as
follows: 

 Sec. 623.251.  Sets guidelines for a permit issued under this section.  

 Sec. 623.252.  Omits original Sec. 623.252 and adds a new Sec.  623.252.

Sec.  623.253.  Omits original text prohibiting the City of Laredo from
collecting an extra fee for issuing a permit under this subchapter.
Authorizes the City of Laredo, of each fee collected for the issuance of a
permit under this subchapter, to retain 15 percent to defray administrative
expenses and requires the city to send the remainder to the department for
deposit to the credit of the state highway fund.  Makes conforming changes
and omits original Subsection (b).   

SECTION 2.  No changes in text.