BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4156
85R23265 AAF-F	By: Bonnen, Dennis (Kolkhorst)
	Transportation
	5/8/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law allows the Texas Transportation Commission to authorize a port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight trucks carrying cargo on state highways in certain counties. An overweight corridor places a fee on overweight trucks transporting goods for the purpose of maintaining and operating the overweight corridors highways. These overweight corridors allow for the efficient and safe movement of goods and incentivizes cargo transport companies to call on these ports.

H.B. 4156 creates an overweight corridor from Bay City to the entrance of Port Freeport.

H.B. 4156 amends current law relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties and authorizes an increase in the amount of a fee.

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 623.210, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 623.210. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. Provides that this subchapter provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in counties:

(1) creates this subdivision from existing text:

(A) redesignates existing Subdivsion (1) as Paragraph (A); or

(B)  redesignates existing Subdivsion (2) as Paragraph (B); or

(2)  contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A).

SECTION 2. Amends Section 623.212, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 623.212.  PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY.  Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to authorize a port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in counties:

(1) creates this subdivision from existing text:

(A) redesignates existing Subdivsion (1) as Paragraph (A); or

(B)  redesignates existing Subdivsion (2) as Paragraph (B); or

(2)  contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A).

SECTION 3. Amends Section 623.214(a), Transportation Code, to prohibit certain fees from exceeding $120 per trip, rather than $80 per trip.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 623.219(b), Transportation Code, to require TTC, for a permit issued by a port authority located in a county that is adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more and with the consent of the port authority, to designate the most direct route from 5261 Seventh Street in Bay City to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highway 35, Loop 419, State Highway 36, and Farm-to-Market Road 1495, among certain other routes.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2017.