83R756 MTB-D

By: Munoz, Jr. H.B. No. 474

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by a certain regional mobility authority for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles.

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. REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY PERMITS

Sec. 623.320. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. This subchapter provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by a regional mobility authority for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on certain roads located in Hidalgo County.

Sec. 623.321. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "authority" means the regional mobility authority authorized to issue permits under Section 623.322.

Sec. 623.322. ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. (a) The commission may authorize a regional mobility authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo in Hidalgo County on:

(1) the following roads:

(A) United States 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 United States 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; and

(D) Farm-to-Market Road 396 between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1016 and its intersection with the Anzalduas International Bridge; or

(2) another route designated by the commission in consultation with the authority.

(b) The authority 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 authority may collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter. The fee may not exceed $80 per trip.

(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 authority's administrative costs, which may not exceed 15 percent of the fees collected. The authority shall make payments to the Texas Department of Transportation to provide funds for the maintenance of state 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 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 be transported in Hidalgo County only over the roads described by or designated under Section 623.322; and

(7) the location where the cargo was loaded.

(b) The authority 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 immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.