BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 3125

By: Lucio III

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

When port authorities along the border with Mexico issue permits to oversize and overweight vehicles, the permits are issued with the provision that the drivers of these vehicles will use the direct routes designated by the Texas Transportation Commission. One of these designated routes is currently from the Gateway International Bridge or the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville. Interested parties assert that an additional route is needed for reasons relating to transportation efficiency. C.S.H.B. 3125 seeks to address this concern by requiring the commission to designate an additional route.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 3125 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Transportation Commission, for a permit for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles on specified roads issued by a port authority located in a county that borders the United Mexican States, and with the port authority's consent, to designate the most direct route from the Free Trade International Bridge to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville using Farm-to-Market Road 509, United States Highways 77 and 83, Farm-to-Market Road 511, State Highway 550, and East Loop (State Highway 32).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2013.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 3125 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Section 623.219(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  For a permit issued by a port authority located in a county that borders the United Mexican States, the commission shall, with the consent of the port authority, designate the most direct route from:

(1)  the Gateway International Bridge or the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville using State Highways 48 and 4 or United States Highways 77 and 83 or using United States Highway 77 and United States Highway 83, East Loop Corridor, and State Highway 4; and

(2)  on completion of State Highway 32, the Free Trade International Bridge to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville using Farm-to-Market Road 509, United States Highways 77 and 83, State Highway 32, and State Highway 550.

 

SECTION 1.  Section 623.219(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  For a permit issued by a port authority located in a county that borders the United Mexican States, the commission shall, with the consent of the port authority, designate the most direct route from:

(1)  the Gateway International Bridge or the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville using State Highways 48 and 4 or United States Highways 77 and 83 or using United States Highway 77 and United States Highway 83, East Loop Corridor, and State Highway 4; and

(2)  the Free Trade International Bridge to the entrance of the Port of Brownsville using Farm-to-Market Road 509, United States Highways 77 and 83, Farm-to-Market Road 511, State Highway 550, and East Loop (State Highway 32).

 

SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

 

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.