83R17346 MTB-D
 
  By: Munoz, Jr., Guerra H.B. No. 474
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 474:
 
  By:  Guerra C.S.H.B. No. 474
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by
  certain governmental entities for the movement of oversize or
  overweight vehicles carrying agricultural products; authorizing a
  fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 623, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter Q to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER Q. CERTAIN PERMITS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
         Sec. 623.320.  OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. This subchapter provides
  an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by a governmental
  entity for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying
  agricultural products on certain roads located in Hidalgo County.
         Sec. 623.321.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter,
  "governmental entity" means a governmental entity that agrees to
  issue permits under Section 623.322.
         Sec. 623.322.  ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. (a)  The commission may
  authorize a governmental entity to issue permits for the movement
  of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying agricultural products
  in Hidalgo County on:
               (1)  the following roads:
                     (A)  U.S. Highway 281 between its intersection
  with the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and its intersection
  with State Highway 336;
                     (B)  State Highway 336 between its intersection
  with U.S. Highway 281 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road
  1016;
                     (C)  Farm-to-Market Road 1016 between its
  intersection with State Highway 336 and its intersection with
  Farm-to-Market Road 396;
                     (D)  Farm-to-Market Road 396 between its
  intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1016 and its intersection
  with the Anzalduas International Bridge;
                     (E)  Farm-to-Market Road 2061 between its
  intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 3072 and its intersection
  with U.S. Highway 281;
                     (F)  U.S. Highway 281 between its intersection
  with the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and its intersection
  with Spur 29;
                     (G)  Spur 29 between its intersection with U.S.
  Highway 281 and its intersection with Doffin Canal Road; and
                     (H)  Doffin Canal Road between its intersection
  with the Pharr International Bridge and its intersection with Spur
  29; or
               (2)  another route designated by the commission in
  consultation with the governmental entity.
         (b)  The governmental entity authorized under this section
  must serve the same geographic location as the roads over which the
  permit is valid.
         Sec. 623.323.  PERMIT FEES. (a) The governmental entity may
  collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter. Beginning
  September 1, 2013, the maximum amount of the fee may not exceed $80
  per trip.  On September 1 of each subsequent year, the governmental
  entity may adjust the maximum fee amount as necessary to reflect the
  percentage change during the preceding year in the Consumer Price
  Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. City Average, published
  monthly by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics or its
  successor in function.
         (b)  Fees collected under Subsection (a) shall be used only
  for the construction and maintenance of the roads described by or
  designated under Section 623.322 and for the governmental entity's
  administrative costs, which may not exceed 15 percent of the fees
  collected. The governmental entity shall make payments to the
  Texas Department of Transportation to provide funds for the
  maintenance of roads and highways subject to this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.324.  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 designated agent for the
  governmental entity;
               (4)  a statement of the weight and dimensions of the
  vehicle and the kind and weight of each agricultural product to be
  transported;
               (5)  a statement:
                     (A)  that the gross weight of the vehicle for
  which a permit is issued may not exceed 125,000 pounds; and
                     (B)  of any other condition on which the permit is
  issued;
               (6)  a statement that the agricultural products may be
  transported in Hidalgo County only over the roads described by or
  designated under Section 623.322; and
               (7)  the location where the agriculture products were
  loaded.
         (b)  The governmental entity shall report to the department
  all permits issued under this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.325.  TIME OF MOVEMENT. A permit issued under this
  subchapter must specify the time during which movement authorized
  by the permit is allowed.
         Sec. 623.326.  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. A violation of this
  provision constitutes a moving violation.
         Sec. 623.327.  ENFORCEMENT. The Department of Public Safety
  has authority to enforce this subchapter.
         Sec. 623.328.  RULES. The commission may adopt rules
  necessary to implement this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.