AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 524 seeks to expand, in a limited and prescribed amount, the area in which the Texas Department of Transportation may authorize the Port of Victoria (Port) to issue oversize/overweight permits for the overland transportation of goods, an arrangement already provided for under current law.  The expansion of the area in which the Port may issue permits will help to ensure local businesses can transport materials and finished products without unnecessary delay, while at the same time ensuring that the state is properly reimbursed for related maintenance costs.

 

As proposed, S.B. 524 amends current law relating to the issuance of certain permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 623.230, Transportation Code, as follows:

 

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 in Victory County, rather than carrying cargo on state highways located in Victoria County.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 623.232, Transportation Code, as follows:

 

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 only on the following highways and roads located in Victory County, rather than on state highways located in Victory County:

 

(1) Farm-to-Market Road 1432 between the Port of Victoria and State Highway 185;

 

(2) State Highway 185 between U.S. Highway 59 and McCoy Road;

 

(3) U.S. Highway 59, including a frontage road of U.S. Highway 59, between State Highway 185 and Loop 463; and

 

(4) Loop 463 between U.S. Highway 59 and North Lone Tree Road.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 623.234(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(a) Authorizes the district to collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter.  Prohibits the fees from exceeding $100, rather than $80, per trip.

 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 623.235(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(a) Requires that a permit under this subchapter include certain information including the signature of the director of the district or the director's designee; 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, provided that the gross weight of such equipment and commodities shall not exceed 140,000, rather than 125,000, pounds; and a statement that the cargo shall only be transported on a road designated un Section 623.232.  Deletes existing text requiring a permit issued under this subchapter to include a statement of the kind of cargo being transported over Farm-to-Market Road 1432 to and from the Victoria Barge Canal and up to but not past the intersection with State Highway 185 and a statement requiring that the cargo only be transported to and from the Victoria Barge Canal using Farm-to-Market Road 1432 and prohibits cargo from being transported over State Highway 185.

 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.