SRC-LBB, TJG S.B. 20 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 20 By: Armbrister Natural Resources 8/5/2003 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE S.B. 20 provides an optional procedure for the issuance of certain permits by the Victoria County Navigation District for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in Victoria County. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Transportation Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 623.239, Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 623, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter L, as follows: SUBCHAPTER L. VICTORIA COUNTY NAVIGATION DISTRICT PERMITS Sec. 623.230. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. Provides that this subchapter provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by the Victoria County Navigation District (district) for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in Victoria County. Sec. 623.231. DEFINITION. Defines "district." Sec. 623.232. ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to authorize the district to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in Victoria County. Sec. 623.233. MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. Requires the district to make payments to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to provide funds for the maintenance of state highways subject to this subchapter. Sec. 623.234. PERMIT FEES. (a) Authorizes the district to collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter. Prohibits the fees from exceeding $80 per trip. (b) Requires fees collected under Subsection (a) to be used solely to provide funds for the payments provided for under Section 623.233 less administrative costs, which shall not exceed 15 percent of the fees collected. Requires the fees to be deposited in the state highway fund. Provides that fees deposited in the state highway fund under this section are exempt from the application of Section 403.095, Government Code (Use of Dedicated Revenue). Sec. 623.235. PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. (a) Requires a permit issued under this subchapter to include certain information. (b) Requires the district to report to TxDOT all permits issued under this subchapter. Sec. 623.236. TIME OF MOVEMENT. Requires a permit issued under this subchapter to specify the time in which movement authorized by the permit is allowed. Sec. 623.237. SPEED LIMIT. Prohibits movement authorized by a permit issued under this subchapter from exceeding the posted speed limit or 55 miles per hour, whichever is less. Provides that violation of this provision constitutes a moving violation. Sec. 623.238. ENFORCEMENT. Requires the Department of Public Safety to have authority to enforce the provisions of this subchapter. Sec. 623.239. RULES. Authorizes TTC to adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.