81R21469 TRH-F
 
  By: Hunter H.B. No. 2604
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2604:
 
  By:  Pickett C.S.H.B. No. 2604
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of certain permits for overweight
  vehicles.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 623, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapters O and P to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER O.  PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI AUTHORITY ROADWAY PERMITS
         Sec. 623.280.  OPTIONAL PROCEDURE.  This subchapter provides
  an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by the Port of
  Corpus Christi Authority for the movement of oversize or overweight
  vehicles carrying cargo on a roadway owned and maintained by the
  Port of Corpus Christi Authority that is located in San Patricio
  County or Nueces County.
         Sec. 623.281.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "port
  authority" means the Port of Corpus Christi Authority.
         Sec. 623.282.  ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.  The port authority may
  issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles
  carrying cargo on a roadway owned and maintained by the port
  authority that is located in San Patricio County or Nueces County.  
  A permit issued under this subchapter is in addition to other
  permits required by law.
         Sec. 623.283.  PERMIT FEES.  (a)  The port authority may
  collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter.  The fees
  may not exceed $80 per trip.
         (b)  Fees collected under Subsection (a) shall be used solely
  for the construction and maintenance of port authority roadways.
         Sec. 623.284.  PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.  A permit issued under
  this subchapter must include:
               (1)  the name of the applicant;
               (2)  the date of issuance;
               (3)  the signature of the manager of transportation of
  the port authority;
               (4)  a statement of the kind of cargo being
  transported, the maximum weight and dimensions of the equipment,
  and the kind and weight of each commodity to be transported;
               (5)  a statement of any condition on which the permit is
  issued;
               (6)  a statement that the cargo may only be transported
  on roadways that are owned and maintained by the port authority and
  located in San Patricio County or Nueces County; and
               (7)  the location where the cargo was loaded.
         Sec. 623.285.  TIME OF MOVEMENT.  A permit issued under this
  subchapter must specify the time in which movement authorized by
  the permit is allowed.
         Sec. 623.286.  SPEED LIMIT.  Movement authorized by a permit
  issued under this subchapter may not exceed the posted speed limit
  or 55 miles per hour, whichever is less.  Violation of this
  provision shall constitute a moving violation.
         Sec. 623.287.  ENFORCEMENT.  The Department of Public Safety
  shall have authority to enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.288.  RULES.  The Texas Transportation Commission
  may adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.
  SUBCHAPTER P.  PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI AUTHORITY SPECIAL FREIGHT
  CORRIDOR PERMITS
         Sec. 623.301.  OPTIONAL PROCEDURE.  This subchapter provides
  an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by the Port of
  Corpus Christi Authority for the movement of oversize or overweight
  vehicles carrying cargo on a state highway special freight corridor
  located in San Patricio County.
         Sec. 623.302.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Port authority" means the Port of Corpus Christi
  Authority; and
               (2)  "Special freight corridor" means a highway built
  by this state specifically for the movement of oversize or
  overweight vehicles carrying cargo in San Patricio County to and
  from the port authority's La Quinta terminal.
         Sec. 623.303.  ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.  The Texas
  Transportation Commission may authorize the port authority to issue
  permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles
  carrying cargo on state highway special freight corridors located
  in San Patricio County.  The port authority may issue a permit under
  this subchapter only if the cargo being transported weighs 125,000
  pounds or less.
         Sec. 623.304.  MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS.  The port authority
  shall make payments to the department to provide funds for the
  maintenance of state highways subject to this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.305.  PERMIT FEES.  (a)  The port authority may
  collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter.  The fees
  may not exceed $80 per trip.
         (b)  Fees collected under Subsection (a) shall be used solely
  to provide funds for the payments provided for under Section
  623.304 and for the port authority's administrative costs, which
  may not exceed 15 percent of the fees collected.  The fees shall be
  deposited in the state highway fund.  Fees deposited in the state
  highway fund under this section are exempt from the application of
  Section 403.095, Government Code.
         Sec. 623.306.  PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  A permit issued
  under this subchapter must include:
               (1)  the name of the applicant;
               (2)  the date of issuance;
               (3)  the signature of the manager of transportation of
  the port authority;
               (4)  a statement of the kind of cargo being
  transported, the maximum weight and dimensions of the equipment,
  and the kind and weight of each commodity to be transported;
               (5)  a statement of any condition on which the permit is
  issued;
               (6)  a statement that the cargo may only be transported
  to and from the port authority's La Quinta terminal in San Patricio
  County using a state highway special freight corridor in San
  Patricio County; and
               (7)  the location where the cargo was loaded.
         (b)  The port authority shall report to the department all
  permits issued under this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.307.  TIME OF MOVEMENT.  A permit issued under this
  subchapter must specify the time in which movement authorized by
  the permit is allowed.
         Sec. 623.308.  SPEED LIMIT.  Movement authorized by a permit
  issued under this subchapter may not exceed the posted speed limit
  or 55 miles per hour, whichever is less.  Violation of this
  provision shall constitute a moving violation.
         Sec. 623.309.  ENFORCEMENT.  The Department of Public Safety
  may enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.310.  RULES.  The Texas Transportation Commission
  may adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.