79R8176 MTB-F


By:  Jones of Lubbock, et al.                                     H.B. No. 749


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to size and weight limitations for certain vehicles transporting agricultural products and equipment. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 504.505(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The department shall issue specialty license plates for a single motor vehicle that is: (1) used only to transport seed cotton [modules], cotton, cotton burrs, or equipment used in transporting or processing cotton; and (2) not more than 10 feet in width. SECTION 2. Section 522.003, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (24-a) to read as follows: (24-a) "Seed cotton module" means compacted seed cotton in any form. SECTION 3. Subchapter I, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I. VEHICLES TRANSPORTING CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS [COTTON] OR [COTTON PROCESSING] EQUIPMENT
Sec. 622.101. VEHICLE TRANSPORTING CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS [COTTON] OR PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. (a) A single motor vehicle used exclusively to transport chili peppers, seed cotton [modules], cotton, cotton burrs, or equipment used to transport or process chili peppers or cotton, including a motor vehicle or burr spreader, from the place of production to the place of first processing may not be operated on a highway or road if the vehicle is: (1) wider than 10 feet and the highway has not been designated by the commission under Section 621.202 [if the vehicle is registered under Section 502.277]; (2) longer than 48 feet; or (3) higher than 14 feet 6 inches. (b) A motor vehicle that transports seed cotton must be registered under Section 504.505. SECTION 4. Section 622.953(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The weight limitations of Section 621.101 do not apply to a single motor vehicle used exclusively to transport chili peppers, seed cotton, or equipment used to transport or process chili peppers or seed cotton from the place of production to the place of first processing [modules]. SECTION 5. Section 644.052(c), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) A rule adopted under this chapter may not apply to a vehicle that is operated intrastate and that is: (1) a machine generally consisting of a mast, engine, draw works, and chassis permanently constructed or assembled to be used and used in oil or water well servicing or drilling; (2) a mobile crane that is an unladen, self-propelled vehicle constructed as a machine to raise, shift, or lower weight; or (3) a vehicle transporting [a] seed cotton [module]. SECTION 6. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed on or after September 1, 2005. An offense committed before September 1, 2005, is covered by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.