BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 624
80R4375 JTS-F By: Estes
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The fee structure for motor carriers using the excess weight permits was changed in 1995 to add a fee for motor carriers based on the number of counties traveled in addition to the annual base fee of $75 and the $5 administrative fee. These additional fees ranged from $125 to $2,000 based on the total number of counties listed on the permit and have not been adjusted since 1995. Many county roads have serious road maintenance issues due to damage caused by overweight trucks (it is estimated that one 80,000 pound truck has approximately the same road impact as 6,000 cars) and are in need of financial resources to help repair damaged roads.
As proposed, S.B. 624 would provide counties with additional financial resources to improve county roads damaged by overweight trucks. S.B. 624 restructures only those fees pertaining to the counties traveled and listed on the permit. These fees will be dedicated to the State Highway Fund and distributed to the counties listed on the permit. Fees are increased for up to 80 counties and reduced for more than 80 counties.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 621.353, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (c), to require each fee collected under Section 623.0111 (Additional Fee for Operation of Vehicle Under Permit), rather than 623.0112 (Additional Administrative Fee), for an excess weight permit to be deposited into the state highway fund (fund). Authorizes money deposited into this fund under this subsection to be appropriated only to the comptroller of public accounts for distribution to certain counties. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 623.0111(a), Transportation Code, to make changes to the table establishing the annual fee a person applying for a permit under Section 623.011 (Permit for Excess Axle or Gross Weight), Transportation Code, must pay.
SECTION 3. Makes application of Section 623.011, Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2007.