AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Port of Corpus Christi may issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight cargo on any road it owns and maintains in Nueces or San Patricio County. S.B. 1571 (Hinojosa; SP: Herrero), 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009) also authorized the port to enter into agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for issuance of oversize or overweight permits on a state highway special freight corridor in San Patricio County only.
New industries at the Port of Corpus Christi have increased the need to transport cargo and regulate trucks moving through the port’s inner harbor and Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor in Nueces County, across Nueces Bay, to port facilities in San Patricio County. The port wants to implement an oversize/overweight permit process on a state highway special freight corridor, if approved by TxDOT, but lacks the current authority for such a permit in Nueces County. The port needs legislation to amend its current authority to issue oversize or overweight permits on a state highway in San Patricio County to include a state highway in Nueces County. This will provide for the efficient movement of cargo on state highways within the port as permit fees will be used to maintain the state highway. The ability to issue permits will aid in the efficient handling of cargo for current customers and prospective customers and will provide connectivity to customers utilizing the port’s facilities located in Nueces County and San Patricio County.
As proposed, S.B. 1059 amends current law relating to the issuance of certain permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 623.301, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 623.301. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. Provides that this subchapter provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit by the Port of Corpus Christi Authority for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on a state highway special freight corridor located in San Patricio County or Nueces County.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 632.302(2), Transportation Code, to redefine "special freight corridor."
SECTION 3. Amends Section 623.303, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 623.303. ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to authorize the port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highway special freight corridors located in San Patricio County or Nueces County.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 623.306(a), Transportation Code, as follows:
(a) Requires that a permit issued under this subchapter include:
(1)-(5) Makes no change to these subdivisions;
(6) a statement that the cargo may only be transported to and from the port authority's:
(A) La Quinta terminal in San Patricio County using a state highway special freight corridor in San Patricio County; or
(B) Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor in Nueces County using a state highway special freight corridor in Nueces County; and
(7) Makes no change to this subdivision.
SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.