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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to weight limits on a vehicle loaded with certain |
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agricultural products. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 621.508, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 621.508. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR OPERATING VEHICLE |
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OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AXLE WEIGHT. It is an affirmative defense to |
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prosecution of, or an action under Subchapter F for, the offense of |
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operating a vehicle with a single axle weight or tandem axle weight |
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heavier than the axle weight authorized by law that at the time of |
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the offense the vehicle: |
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(1) had either: |
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(A) a single axle weight or tandem axle weight |
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that was not heavier than the axle weight authorized by law plus 12 |
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percent; or |
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(B) a combination of single axle weights and |
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tandem axle weights heavier than the axle weight authorized by law, |
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so long as each axle weight or tandem axle weight does not exceed |
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the axle weight authorized by law plus six percent; |
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(2) was loaded with timber, pulp wood, wood chips, or |
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cotton, livestock, or other agricultural products that are: |
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(A) in their natural state; and |
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(B) being transported from the place of |
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production to the place of first marketing or first processing; and |
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(3) was not being operated on a portion of the national |
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system of interstate and defense highways. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |