By Alexander                                           H.B. No. 700
         77R4058 JD-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to load and weight limits on certain bridges and culverts.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Section 623.011(c), Transportation Code, is
 1-5     amended to read as follows:
 1-6           (c)  A permit issued under this section:
 1-7                 (1)  is valid for one year; and
 1-8                 (2)  must be carried in the vehicle for which it is
 1-9     issued[; and]
1-10                 [(3)  does not authorize the operation on the national
1-11     system of interstate and defense highways in this state of vehicles
1-12     with a weight greater than authorized by federal law].
1-13           SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, is
1-14     amended by adding Section 623.0113 to read as follows:
1-15           Sec. 623.0113.  ROUTE RESTRICTIONS; EXCEPTION. (a)  A permit
1-16     issued under Section 623.011 does not authorize the operation of
1-17     the vehicle for which the permit is issued on:
1-18                 (1)  the national system of interstate and defense
1-19     highways in this state if the weight of the vehicle is greater than
1-20     authorized by federal law; or
1-21                 (2)  a bridge or culvert for which a maximum weight and
1-22     load limit have been established and posted by the commission under
1-23     Section 621.102 or the commissioners court of a county under
1-24     Section 621.301, if the gross weight of the vehicle and load or the
 2-1     axles and wheel loads are greater than the limits established and
 2-2     posted under those sections.
 2-3           (b)  A restriction under Subsection (a)(2) does not apply if
 2-4     the bridge or culvert is along the only public highway or road that
 2-5     the vehicle for which the permit is issued can use to travel from
 2-6     its point of origin to its destination.
 2-7           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-8     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-9     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-10     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-11     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.